Internal listed-building alterations at Aldern House Baslow Road Bakewell

“To make internal alterations to two ground floor rooms, known as Rooms 15 and 16. The two rooms are located in the north eastern corner of the historic house. Room 15 is currently a tea point facility and w.c and room 16 is a large single office accessed through room 15. The alterations consist of:”

“New subdividing stud walls and doorsets within room 16, in order to subdivide the space into two separate offices. • Overboarding of lath and plaster ceiling in room 15. • Other upgrades to fixtures and fittings including removal or replacement of modern doorsets, replacement of modern cupboard doors, replacement of secondary glazing to match existing, removal and renewal of modern kitchenette units, re-painting and new floor finishes, and renewal of lighting and fire…”

“Aldern House is the headquarters of the Peak District National Park Authority and lies to the north of Bakewell Town centre. The site is within Bakewell’s development boundary but outside of the designated Bakewell Conservation Area.”

“The property is a Grade II listed building dating from c.1820. It was originally designed and occupied as a house. The building was listed in May 1974.”

“2015 – listed building consent granted for alterations to kitchen and toilet area of the listed wing of Aldern House (including reconfiguration of room 15) – NP/DDD/1215/1148.”

“The application explains that Room 15 serves as the only tea point for multiple commercial tenants within Aldern House, as well as the Peak District Business Hub and that the deteriorated state of the ceiling does detract somewhat from its appearance. There is therefore a minor public benefit in maintaining accommodation to satisfy fee paying tenants, who in turn generate income to help fund the maintenance of the listed building.”

“In conclusion, the proposed works would bring about some modest enhancements to the significance of the listed building. The minor harm resulting from overboarding the small area of lath and plaster ceiling would be outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme. The proposals therefore accord with Core Strategy policies GSP3 and L3 and Development Management policies DMC3, DMC5 and DMC7 and are recommended for approval.”

“Highway Authority – no impact on the public highway, so no comments to make.”

“11:30am K Potter left the meeting. The Officer presented the report and outlined the reasons for approval as detailed in the report. Some Members had visited the site the previous day. The public benefits as outlined in the planning report in paragraphs 16 and 17 were discussed, and the Chair promised that he would ensure that future applications before Planning Committee would be considered in the same way.”