Roof freezer condenser units at 20 Winchester Street, Basingstoke

“This application seeks retrospective planning permission for the installation of fridge freezer compressor units (including associated cabling/ducting) to facilitate the retail shop on the ground floor. The units are located on the rooftop of part of 20 Winchester Street, a building which historically formed part of Thomas Burberry’s clothing factory.”

“The application site is located to the north of Winchester Street and is within the Basingstoke Town Conservation Area.”

“Joices Yard is located to the rear and is in use as a public car park, with views of the rear elevation of the building visible from the wider public realm.”

“The installation of refrigeration compressor units and associated ducting and cabling, by reason of their unsympathetic siting and visual prominence, causes less than substantial harm to the significance of the Basingstoke Town Centre Conservation Area (a designated heritage asset), the host building at 20 Winchester Street (a non- designated heritage asset), and the setting of adjacent listed buildings.”

“Insufficient information has been provided to assess the impact of the fridge freezer compressor units on the amenities of neighbouring properties. Therefore, the proposal would be contrary to Policies EM10 and EM12 of the Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan 2011-2029 and the National Planning Policy Framework (December 2024).”

“The application is not supported by a Noise Impact Assessment or any technical documentation relating to the operation of the installed fridge freezer compressor units. The Council’s Environmental Protection Guidance Note for Developers and Consultants states that the purpose of a noise assessment is to understand the impact of a noise source on a receptor and to specify any necessary mitigation measures.”

“Given the proximity of these units to nearby residential properties, it is considered that such information is necessary to properly assess potential noise impacts. The nearest residential units are located within the same building as the application site, specifically the flats within the upper floors of no.20 Winchester Street. Additionally, several of the surrounding buildings have had their upper floors converted to residential accommodation.”

“The Committee discussed the proposed application and supported the officer recommendation. They considered the works that had been carried out were visually intrusive and unsympathetic to the building and the setting of the Conservation Area.”

“It was also noticed that the drawings presented with the application did not reflect the cables that were currently on the building.”

“RESOLVED that: the application be REFUSED and ENFORCED for the following reasons:”

“Removal of the fridge freezer compressor units from the roof of the building, together with the associated cabling/ducting.”