Air source heat pumps at Ashton Memorial And Butterfly House Williamson Park, Lancaster

“Williamson Park is a Grade II listed park and garden (List Entry Number: 1000942) located to the east of Lancaster city centre on steeply sloping landscape, overlooking Lancaster and Morecambe Bay. It is a formal park established in the late 19th century, which originated from a sandstone quarry.”

“The Butterfly House (former Palm House), which is adjacent to the Memorial, is a Grade II listed building (List Entry Number: 1195061) built early 20th century as part of further improvement works in the park funded by Lord Ashton. Over the years, it has served as an educational facility, helping…”

“A number of relevant applications relating to this site have previously been received by the Local Planning Authority. These include:”

“Application Number Proposal Decision 25/01441/LB Listed building application for the installation of Air Source Heat Pumps and associated enclosure, removal of redundant plant, construction of new enclosure to house packaged plant and new air handling unit, installation of a new heat pump gantry enclosure, installation of new radiators, emitters, replacement of the existing pipework distributions, upgrades to the Building Energy Management Systems.”

“The proposed development will result in a low level of less than substantial harm to the character and significance of Ashton Memorial & The Butterfly House, Williamson Park. However, it is considered subject to conditions as outlined below that this identified harm is outweighed by the public benefits that the scheme entails.”

“That Planning Permission BE GRANTED subject to the following conditions:”

“The key considerations in the assessment of this application are:”

“Principle of development • Design and impact on designated heritage assets • Noise and Residential Amenity • Open Space • Trees…”

“Conservation Team No objection - Conclude that there would be minor harm to the setting of the listed buildings and to the Registered Park and Garden cause by the new enclosure. This harm would be mitigated by the location within existing planting and behind a mature hedge. The new AHU enclosure is more impactful and would cause minor harm to the Grade II Butterfly House, but this is lessened as it is sensitively designed and replaces poor quality existing buildings.”

“The Gardens Trust Objection - We have concerns about the siting and buildability of the Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) gantry and enclosure in the proposed position near the summit and in the setting of the Ashton Memorial and Butterfly House.”

“It was proposed by Councillor Hamish Mills and seconded by Councillor Tom Fish:”

“Upon being put to the vote, 15 Councillors voted in favour of the proposal with none against and no abstentions, whereupon the Chair declared the proposal to have been carried.”

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

“Time limit. 2. Approved plans. 3. Samples of Materials to be submitted. 4. Development in accordance with ASHP details set out within Noise Assessment. 5. Development in accordance with AIA. 6. Addendum AIA for proposed cabling to Sub-station. 7. Archaeological Watching Brief. 8. Scheme for 6no Replacement Trees. 9. Removal of Units upon cessation of use.”