Market square works at Market Place And Victoria Square, Ashbourne

What was proposed

The application sought amended plans for works including parking, motorcycle bays, an electrical cabinet, bollards, signage and other minor changes.

“Permission is sought to vary Condition 2 of the Listed Building Consent 23/00959/LBALT. The wider scheme relates to the redevelopment of Market Place and Victoria Square, which included elements such as removing car parking to Market Place; providing disabled and short stay parking; introducing new areas of stone surfacing to areas of tarmac; and provision of new trees and street furniture.”

“The proposal seeks to substitute the approved plans with amended plans. The amendments predominantly consist of the following: a second disabled bay on the Market Place in place of a non-disabled bay; minor amendments to the layout of the motorcycle parking bay; the addition of a small electrical cabinet; amendments to the street furniture, increasing the number of bollards around the perimeter of the Market Place; replacement parking signage and other minor…”

Officer report

The site and its history

The Market Place and Victoria Square surfaces are grade II listed, and works were already progressing under earlier listed building consents.

“The surface of the adjoining Victoria Square is also grade II listed (listed 1974). The listing description states that the surfacing is “18th century or early 19th century or earlier” and includes the “paved surface of limestone setts and flagstones with narrow modern surfaced footway through centre”. Located within Victoria Square is an historic, 19th century (1864) lamp post on a stone plinth/base that is grade II listed (listed 1974).”

“Surrounding and bounding the Market Place and Victoria Square are a large number of listed buildings whose setting and context is the Market Place and Victoria Square.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications for the wider works and variations to conditions were permitted with conditions.

“24/00625/VCOND - Variation of conditions 2, 4 and 8 of planning application no. 23/00959/LBALT - Various changes to related conditions – Permitted with Conditions…”

“23/00959/LBALT – Various proposed works at Market Place and Victoria Square – Permitted with Conditions…”

Officer report

Why officers recommended approval

Officers considered the changes would not cause additional harm to the listed surfaces and that public benefits would outweigh the identified harm.

“It is acknowledged that each of these additions represents an increase in modern equipment into the street scene causing further disruption to the surfacing, however it is not considered that these additions would result in any significant change or dilution in the connection the surfaces hold to the surrounding buildings and wider environment when compared to the extant scheme. Each new piece of street furniture is relatively small in the context of the whole surface.”

“In granting consent for the original scheme, the District Council found that the public benefits associated with the works far outweighed the identified harm to the listed surfaces.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant’s county council professional services representative spoke in support of the application.

The committee vote

Councillors Stuart Lees and Peter Dobbs moved and seconded the proposal, which was approved unanimously.

“It was moved by Councillor Stuart Lees, seconded by Councillor Peter Dobbs and…”

“To grant listed building consent subject to conditions as set out in the report with delegated authority to the Director of Place and Economy to approve any amendments to those conditions as deemed necessary.”

Minutes