Chimney reconstruction at 5 Lower Almshouses, Pilton Street, Barnstaple

“The site comprises of a row of 6 terraced Almshouses located on Pilton Street, dating back to 1860. The site is set back from the main street and maintains open sightlines from the pavement into the shared gardens and the terrace itself. The Almshouses are Grade II listed and situated within the Barnstaple-Pilton Conservation Area.”

“There are four separate stone rubble chimney stacks along this terrace with 1 and 6 Almshouse having their own whilst 2 & 3 sharing a stack as well as 4 & 5 Almshouse sharing. The shared chimneys are larger in design and possess 4 chimney pots. The current chimney stacks are made up of a local slatestone body, sandstone quoins and hard cement mortar.”

“78704 Replacement of metal railings on the garden boundary with similar at Lower Almshouses Pilton Street Barnstaple Devon EX31 1PF Approved 4 November 2024 78705 Listed Building consent for the replacement of metal railings on the garden boundary with similar at Lower Almshouses Pilton Street Barnstaple Devon…”

“In this instance it is considered that the building derives its significance from its legibility and fabric of the building including the chimney that concerns this application.”

“An ecological assessment has been submitted and has found that the presence of protected species could not be ruled out. However, the sustainability officer has commented that, ‘Due to the limited nature of the proposals timings of work it will be a sufficient safeguard’. As such it has been recommended that the works would be carried out, ‘between 1 st of October to 1 st of February as nesting bats and birds are unlikely to be present.”

“Reply Received: 16/10/2025 The Barnstaple Town Council, Planning and Transportation Committee on Wednesday 15TH October 2025 made the following recommendation: RESOLVED: Approval subject to conditions of the conservation officer being met (NC)”

“Sustainability Officer Reply Received: 05/09/2025 The submitted Ecological Assessment (EA) concludes that the existing structure is of low value for protected species and no further survey effort is considered necessary. The EA states that the presence of protected species could not be ruled out, however due to the limited nature of the proposals timing of works will be sufficient safeguard.”

“Sample materials had been submitted by the applicant which the Heritage and Conservation Officer was satisfied with. • It was recommended that condition 6 be amended to “The works to the external finishing of the chimney stack be carried out in accordance with the samples received by the Local Planning Authority on 23 October 2025.”

“RESOLVED (unanimous) that the application be APPROVED as recommended by the Planning Officer (JC) subject to condition 6 being amended to “The works to the external finishing of the chimney stack be carried out in accordance with the samples received by the Local Planning Authority on 23 October 2025.”

“This Listed Building Consent is granted subject to the condition that the works to which it relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date on which the Consent is granted.”

“No work shall commence on any part of the chimney until samples of the external finishing materials to be used for the chimney herby approved have been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority.”