Cafe demolition, paving and fencing at Cafe And Shop Williamson Park, Lancaster

“The proposal is to demolish the café and shop building on the grounds of health and safety risks. It is proposed that the cleared site will be finished with York stone paving to be enclosed by a white…”

“This application relates to the café and adjoining shop which is located within Williamson Park. The timber framed building which dates from 1987 is of a pavilion design with finial details to the glazed roof. The building is no longer open to public due to the deterioration of the structural condition rendering it unsafe.”

“The Butterfly House is located to the south of the café and shop. This building is Grade II listed. The Ashton Memorial is sited approximately 50 metres to the west and is a Grade I listed building. Williamson Park is also a Grade II listed Registered Park and Garden but the subject building sits just outside this designation. The site lies within the Williamson Park Conservation Area.”

“There are no relevant applications relating to this specific site within Williamson Park.”

“The dangerous condition of the building has resulted in the Councils Building Control department serving a section 78 (s.78) Dangerous Building - Emergency Notice under the Building Act. This notice sets out that the structure is wholly dangerous and requires its demolition to remove the danger it currently represents to the public. As Councillors will be aware, the Building Act is a regulatory regime which is separate to planning.”

“The site is located within an area of designated Open Space (Parks and Recreation typology), which policies SC3 and DM27 seek to protect. Policy SC3 states that existing open space identified for recreation, environmental and/or amenity value will be protected from inappropriate development.”

“The following responses have been received from statutory and internal consultees:”

“Consultee Response Lancaster Civic Vision Regrets the loss of this building but accepts that the structure is no longer fit for purpose. We ask that a full photographic record is made before demolition. We regret that there no proposals for a replacement of the café, shop and toilets and trust that work will be put in hand as soon as possible to provide appropriate facilities (even if only temporary) ahead of the next tourist season.”

“No representations have been received from members of the public.”

“That the application be approved subject to the conditions in the Committee Report.”

“Upon being put to the vote, 13 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:”