18 flats at Market Place, Bolsover

What is proposed

The application proposes three buildings containing nine one-bedroom flats and nine two-bedroom flats.

“The application proposes 2 three storey buildings and 1 two storey building that will deliver 9 one bed flats at the ground floor and 9 two bed 2 storey flats, that will be delivered on the second and third floors of the building.”

Officer report

The site and its setting

The site is behind the White Swan in Bolsover town centre, within the conservation area and near Bolsover Castle.

“The site lies within Bolsover town centre close to the Market Place. It falls within the Bolsover Conservation Area and is within the vicinity of Bolsover Castle. The White Swan public house is a prominent un-listed heritage asset within the street, next to Dane Bank House which also has a distinct civic quality and status as a former bank. Both relate to the setting of the Market Place. The entrance to the site falls between these 2 buildings.”

“The site is relatively contained behind the two main street buildings. The substantial mass of the White Swan and the adjacent Dane Bank House almost completely blocks the views to the main street. There are glimpses though from the street that are typical of the experience of walking down the street and looking through to the rear.”

Officer report

Public comments

One representation asked for swift bricks instead of sparrow terraces and for integral nest boxes matching the number of dwellings.

“The submission shows a sparrow terrace on the southern elevation but best practice is to use integrated next bricks as they become a permanent feature of the building, require zero maintenance, are aesthetically integrated with the design of the building, are less vulnerable to vandalism and have better thermal regulation with future climate change in mind. The latter point also means such bricks can be safely installed on all aspects of new developments.”

“The number of integral nest boxes on new residential developments shall at least equal the…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent’s representative spoke in favour of the application.

What members discussed

Members discussed how contributions would be enforced if profits exceeded the agreed threshold and expressed reservations about that threshold.

“To a question on the enforcement of contributions following any increased viability, the Development Management and Land Charges Manager noted this was a complex area as assumptions were prescriptive regarding viability and were included in the agreement – any profit margin above 20% was seen as reasonable and would result in a 70% / 30% split of shared additional profit, with the Council prioritised.”

“A Member stated the current site was not attractive and the proposed development was desirable, but shared reservations on the 20% profit threshold before additional contributions would be sought.”

Minutes

The committee’s vote

The committee resolved to approve the application, subject to flood authority matters, conditions and a viability review agreement.

“Moved by Councillor John Ritchie and seconded by Councillor Rob Hiney-Saunders RESOLVED that application no. 23/00439/FUL be APPROVED upon no objections being received from the Lead Local Flood Authority (LLFA), subject to the following conditions, any other conditions recommended by the LLFA, and upon completion of a S.106 agreement to secure a viability review mechanism at a suitable stage in the build out of the site, to enable the education, open space and playing pitch…”

Minutes