20 apartments and 10 shops at 2 - 14 Holywell Street, Chesterfield

What was proposed

The scheme would create 20 apartments above 10 smaller commercial units, including nine retail units and a café.

“PROPOSAL: CONVERSION OF FIRST, SECOND AND THIRD FLOOR INTO A SELF-CONTAINED MIXTURE OF ONE-TWO BEDROOM APARTMENTS TOTALLING 20 UNITS AND CONVERSION OF GROUND FLOOR FURNITURE SHOWROOM INTO 10 SMALLER RETAIL UNITS”

“The application proposes to subdivide the ground floor into 9 retail units plus a café. The plans have been amended to indicate secure access points for residents and the provision of bike and bin storage. The upper floors would be converted to residential with 10 apartments to the first floor, 8 apartments to the second floor and 2 apartments to the third floor.”

Officer report

The site

The vacant former furniture store is a prominent three-storey Victorian building in the town centre conservation area.

“The application site is the vacant former Eyres furniture store, a large and prominent three storey Victorian building situated on the corner of Holywell Street with Cavendish Street and Stephenson Place.”

“The application site is within the Chesterfield Town Centre Conservation Area and within Chesterfield Town Centre and Secondary Shopping Area on the Chesterfield Borough Council adopted local plan policies map 2018-2035. The site is within the setting of a number of listed buildings including the Winding Wheel opposite.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application for fascia signs, hanging barriers and building illumination received conditional permission in 2004.

“CHE/04/00363/ADV Fascial Signs/Hanging Barriers/Building Illumination – Conditional Permission 14.06/2004”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the town-centre location, housing and regeneration benefits outweighed the impacts, subject to conditions and a bat survey.

“The principle of ground floor commercial uses with residential development above within a sustainable town centre location is supported by policies CLP1, 2 and SS1. In such locations there are more likely to be noise concerns from the night-time economy, however the layout of the units and internal insultation and windows details with details to be the subject of conditions should ensure these impacts are mitigated to an acceptable degree.”

“It is therefore recommended that subject to the receipt of a bat survey, the application be GRANTED subject to the following conditions:”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Highways raised no objection but requested construction management and cycle storage, while consultees sought controls for heritage, security, drainage and ecology.

“No objections as there are ample spaces for parking around the site in the nearest car parks. However, construction will inevitably lead to disruption so require a Construction Management Plan to be secured by condition. Cycle storage should also be secured by condition. Strategic Planning…”

“Initial modelling suggests that the impact of this development is up to £51k. Cycle Chesterfield No objection to this building being brought back into use, note that there is no secure cycle parking provided for residents. Given that there is no vehicle parking provided, and the central location consider that sustainable transport will be the residents choice.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The Principal Planner presented the application, followed by an objector and the applicant.

Committee discussion

Members considered the report, noted the need to correct duplicated condition numbering and moved to uphold the officer recommendation.

“It was noted that the conditions outlined in the officer’s report need the numbering correcting to remove the duplication of numbers.”

“The committee considered the report. It was moved by Councillor Stone and seconded by Councillor Caulfield that the officer recommendation be upheld.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee resolved to uphold the officer recommendation.

“That the officer recommendation be upheld, and the application be GRANTED subject to the conditions outlined in the Officer’s report.”

Minutes