Student accommodation and education at Silvergate House 32 Clasketgate, Lincoln

What was proposed

The scheme would add one roof storey, alter the building externally, provide student accommodation above and relocate an educational facility to the ground floor.

“The application proposes a single storey roof extension along with external alterations to facilitate the change of use from a bar/nightclub and education facility to an educational facility at the ground floor and student accommodation to the upper floors. The development would comprise 77 cluster bedrooms on the upper floors, with two ground floor studio bedrooms.”

Officer report

Earlier proposals

The original two-storey roof extension was reduced to one storey and set back after concerns from officers and Historic England about height and design.

“Prior to the submission of the application the proposals were subject to pre-application discussions between the applicant’s agent, Planning Officers and the City Council’s Principal Conservation Officer (Conservation Officer). Officers have also met with the applicant team during the process of the application, which originally proposed a two-storey extension to the roof.”

“The application is being presented to Members of the Planning Committee for determination at the request of Councillor Preston.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended permission because the proposal was acceptable in principle, preserved the conservation area and listed-building settings, and protected amenity with mitigation.

“The principle of the use of the building as student accommodation and as an educational use is considered to be acceptable. The applicant is willing to enter into a S106 agreement to secure the requested NHS contribution, ensuring the development will be sustainable in this respect. The proposals would relate well to the building, site, and surroundings in relation to scale, massing, and design.”

“Time limit of the permission • Development in accordance with approved plans • Samples of materials and further details colours and finishes • Noise mitigation scheme • Water efficiency standards • Hours of construction/delivery…”

Officer report

Design concerns raised

Councillor Preston asked for important external features to be preserved, including the terrazzo steps, window details, colour scheme and concrete banding.

“She thanked members of Planning Committee for allowing her the opportunity to speak. • She requested that fantastic external features of the Silvergate House building be recognised and that its unique exterior be preserved as part of the history of the city centre for future generations to enjoy. • The building had been in existence since 1960 and was part of our 20 th…”

“Century architectural heritage. • She was not against plans for change of use for the building, which reflected changes in the retail and night time centre of the city. • She appealed to members to save the exterior of the building in its current form including: ➢ The gorgeous terrazzo steps ➢ Wonderful fluting across the deep-set windows ➢ The colour scheme reminiscent of waves of the sea. ➢ The lightly textured exposed aggregate concrete banding panels.”

Minutes

Who spoke

Councillor Preston spoke about preserving the building, and the agent supported the scheme’s educational use, reuse of the structure and single-storey extension.

Members’ discussion

Members supported reusing the building and its educational use but discussed future adaptability, exterior details, student housing demand, parking and contributions.

“It was pleasing to see the use of purposely designed student accommodation rather than use of family homes and the internal use of the building was supported. • Had work been done to make sure the accommodation was convertible to private use should there be an oversaturation of student accommodation? • Due to the nature of the development, it attracted s106 funding from the NHS only.”

“The wave framing at the upper level would be replaced. The Conservation Officer had stated that minor changes were not harmful to the character of the building which was not listed. • In terms of demand for student accommodation, there was no objection from the University of Lincoln. • Flexibility had been requested for the accommodation element to allow adaptability in the future.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

Planning permission was granted, with authority to finalise the health contribution agreement and conditions covering materials, windows, crime prevention, noise, water and construction.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be granted with delegated authority granted to the Assistant Director of Planning to finalise a S106 agreement to secure the requested health contribution, and subject to the following conditions:”

Minutes