Fire escape staircase at 2 Leicester Square, Boston
Summary of planning committee decision
Decided by Boston Planning Committee on 24 Mar 2026.
No officer report was published for this decision; this summary is from the committee minutes.
An external fire escape staircase
The application sought a steel staircase on the rear elevation to give an extra fire escape from the first floor, replacing a window with a door.
“Proposal: Proposed external steel staircase to serve first floor apartment/Flats 03 & 04, including removal of a first-floor window in lieu of a new access door at first floor level.”
“Members were advised that the application related to an existing two-storey detached building located adjacent to St George’s Road Car Park, containing residential flats arranged across the ground and first floors. The proposal comprised the installation of an external galvanised steel staircase on the rear elevation to provide an additional means of fire escape from the first-floor.”
Minutes
Brought to committee as a council application
The item went to committee because the council itself was the applicant, for a building next to St George's Road car park.
“-6- The Planning Officer presented the application and confirmed that it had been referred to Committee because Boston Borough Council was the applicant.”
Minutes
No amenity harm, officers said
Officers said the staircase would sit in an enclosed yard with little public visibility, causing no loss of residential amenity, and recommended approval.
“The Planning Officer explained that the staircase would be positioned within the enclosed rear yard, a location with significantly limited public visibility and where no loss of residential amenity would arise.”
“The application was recommended for approval.”
Minutes
No objections raised
No objections were received from neighbouring residents or consultees.
“Members were advised that no objections had been received from neighbouring residents or consultees.”
Minutes
Members confirmed it was only for escape
Members agreed the staircase was for fire escape only, not everyday access, so it would not increase activity at the rear of the building.
“In considering the application, Members acknowledged the importance of ensuring adequate fire-escape arrangements for residential premises. The Committee noted that the staircase was not intended to serve as a primary means of access and would therefore not materially increase activity or access at the rear of the property.”
Minutes
Permission granted
The committee granted planning permission in line with the officer recommendation and the conditions in the report.
“That planning permission be granted in accordance with the officer recommendation and subject to the conditions set out in the report.”
Minutes
The members' reasons
“The Committee noted that the staircase was not intended to serve as a primary means of access and would therefore not materially increase activity or access at the rear of the property.”
Minutes
Source: the council's minutes, quoted word for word.
Sources
- Boston Planning Committee minutes, 24 March 2026
- Agenda and papers (council website)
Source: Plota analysis of Boston's committee minutes. Quotations are the council's own words; headings and summaries are Plota's.
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- Committee
- Boston Planning Committee
- Council
- Boston
- Date
- Tuesday 24 March 2026
- Recommendation
- Officers recommended approval
- Committee decided
- Approved
- Minutes
- The council's minutes
- Meeting
- Agenda and papers (council website)
- Application
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