Business space and 8 flats at 5 New Street, Paisley

What was proposed

The application proposed business use on the ground floor, eight flats above and associated external alterations.

“26/0047/PP Description: Change of use from former College/Education Facility (Class 10) to Business (Class 4) at ground floor and Residential comprising 8 flats (sui generis) at first, second and third floors alongside associated external alterations Decision: Permitted determination.”

Officer report

The site and building

The building has an ornate front elevation on a prominent corner plot, and its interior has lost original features through earlier alterations.

“Returning the building to active use is considered to be the best way to protect its historic and architectural merit in the long term. In particular, the reoccupation of the building would help preserve the ornate front elevation that is highly visible given the building occupies a prominent corner plot in Paisley Town Centre.”

“The current condition of the interior of the building is also acknowledged. Original features have been lost and non-sympathetic alterations have been made to many of the rooms in a piecemeal fashion over the years. The alterations proposed by the current applicant are made within this context.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier permissions included educational use, listed-building alterations, kitchen works, signage, toilet alterations and disabled access improvements.

“Application No: 09/0351/LB Description: Internal alterations to listed building to form educational facility for music and drama. Decision: Grant subject to conditions…”

“Application No: 02/1197/LB Description: Internal refurbishment of certain areas within the building. Installation of a new lift which in turn requires the formation of a new opening at street level through the external wall. Required for disabled access into the building. Decision: Grant subject to conditions…”

Officer report

Officers’ assessment

The alterations were considered acceptable because they would support reoccupation without harming the building’s special architectural or historic merit.

“Given the above and subject to the aforementioned conditions, the proposed internal alterations are considered acceptable. The subdivision of the internal space would not unactable harm the architectural merit of the building and is necessary to help secure the return of the building to active use.”

“Overall, the proposed internal and external alterations would not harm the special architectural or historic merit of the building, in particular its ornate front elevation, and would help facilitate its reoccupation. The alterations would also have no impact on the adjoining A listed building at 7 High Street.”

Officer report

The main issue

The main issue was the effect of the development on the building’s listed status, with town-centre and residential matters assessed separately.

“Planning Assessment The main issue that must be assessed in this report is the impact the development would have on the building's listed building status. The impact on both Paisley Town Centre and the Paisley Town Centre Conservation Area as well as the amenity that would be afforded to those who would live in the flats is assessed in the associated planning application (26/0047/PP).”

“The Town and Country Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 states that in considering whether to grant listed building consent special regard must be had to the desirability of preserving the listed building and its setting as well as any features of special architectural or historic merit.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Historic Environment Scotland raised no objection but suggested design details or conditions to reduce effects on the building’s architectural merit.

“Consultations Historic Environment Scotland - no objection to the development. Historic Environment Scotland did however suggest minor alterations could be made to the proposal and recommend that further detail should be sought or conditions applied to help minimise the impact certain aspects of the development have on the architectural merit of the property.”

Officer report

Residents’ views

The application was publicised and no representations were received.

“Representations The application has been publicised in line with the requirements of the relevant legislation.”

“No representations were received. Policy Context In making any determination under the Planning Acts, regard is to be had to the development plan unless material considerations indicate otherwise. In this instance the Development Plan consists of National Planning Framework 4 (NPF4) and the Renfrewshire Local Development Plan (2021) (LDP).”

Officer report

Who spoke

A senior planning officer delivered a presentation on the applications.

The committee vote

Councillor Paterson moved approval subject to the report’s conditions and reasons, and the motion was agreed unanimously.

“In terms of Standing Order 59 Councillor Paterson moved that the planning application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report. This was agreed unanimously.”

Minutes

The decision

The planning application was granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed in the report.

“DECIDED: That the planning application be granted subject to the conditions and reasons detailed within the report.”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Conditions required conservation details, window information, designs for new openings and fixtures, business-space subdivision and outdoor amenity-space details.

“Condition(s) 1. Prior to the commencement of development, a Conservation Method Statement shall be submitted for the written approval of Renfrewshire Council as Planning Authority. The statement shall detail the proposed treatment, retention, restoration and reuse of all internal fixtures and fittings that contribute to the special interest of the building including (but not limited to) exposed timbers, woodwork and panelling, doors and architraves, plasterwork and…”

“Prior to the commencement of development, a specification detailing the design of all new window openings, door openings and the enclosed terrace shall be submitted for the written approval of Renfrewshire Council as Planning Authority.”

Officer report