Mixed-use shops and student flat at 1 Spring Garden Street, Lancaster

“Planning permission is sought for a building comprising mostly two storey to deliver 3 retail units and a landlord office at ground level with student accommodation above. The ground floor is retained in largely its existing plan form, with an extension to the existing rear outrigger to increase the floor space, incorporating the access to the student accommodation occupying the upper floors.”

“The accommodation on the first floor would provide a 4-bedroom cluster flat with shared kitchen/living/dining room, as well as one bathroom and one shower room. Access is proposed to utilise the rear outrigger with access onto Spring Garden Street from the existing pedestrian access. Within the rear yard a bike and bin store are to be provided.”

“The site is located on Spring Garden Street in the centre of Lancaster, on the edge of the main retail area, within the Conservation Area. It currently comprises a long single storey building which has a monopitch roof, giving it the appearance of a one and a half storey building at the front. It is finished in stone on the front elevation, which is painted white, and has dark patent glazing above. The side and rear walls are constructed of brick.”

“A large electricity substation immediately adjoins the western boundary, and its curtilage wraps partially around the rear of the application site. This also abuts the pavement and comprises a gated access immediately adjacent to the site, and a long rendered wall, approximately 4 metres high. To the east of the site is a terrace of traditional three storey stone buildings which front onto Penny Street and have retail units at ground floor.”

“An earlier application in 2016 for a similar but larger student accommodation scheme, creating a three storey building (16/01394/FUL) was approved. The design varied with larger proportions of glazing to the shopfronts than currently proposed. The proposal created 4 retail units at ground floor as per the current application, however proposed two 4-bedroom student cluster flats compared to the 1 4-bedroom unit currently proposed.”

“Application Number Proposal Decision 16/01394/FUL Partial demolition and alteration of existing building and erection of a two storey building above existing ground floor, with retail (A1) at ground floor and two 4-bed student cluster flats (C4) on upper floors Permitted…”

“No neighbour representations have been received.”

“It was proposed by Councillor Keith Budden and seconded by Councillor Martin Gawith:”

“Upon being put to the vote, 8 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and one abstention, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.”

“That the application be approved subject to the following conditions:”

“Standard 3 year timescale. 2. Approved Plans. 3. Materials – details and samples including stonework, render, doors and windows, roofing material, ridge, verge and eaves details, window surrounds, rainwater goods, materials for cycle store, any external surfacing material, all means of enclosure, external lighting, details of shopfronts. 4. Archaeological monitoring and recording. 5. Provision of bike and bin store. 6. Student accommodation restriction. 7.”