Octagon Theatre refurbishment at Octagon Theatre Hendford, Yeovil

What was proposed

The scheme would refurbish and extend the theatre, improve its facilities and provide new hard and soft landscaping, entrances, studio space and backstage storage.

“Details of proposal 4.4 This application proposes refurbishment and extensions to the Octagon Theatre building to improve the appearance and facilities. Improvements to the external areas include hard and soft landscaping.”

“The north elevation includes a full height colonnade of projecting brickwork with glazed infills. Internally this will link the upper and lower foyers providing light and architectural interest to the front of house areas. The upper foyer includes a combined bar, reception and box office, kitchen, WCs, entrances to the auditorium and stairs and lift to the lower foyer.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The theatre lies south of Yeovil town centre beside Penn Hill Park, with listed buildings, car parks and mixed uses nearby.

“The Octagon Theatre is located to the south of Yeovil town centre, between the town and Yeovil Country Park, close to main road links into Yeovil and within walking distance of a number of public car parks. The application site comprises the existing Octagon Theatre building, its forecourt and an area of grass bank. There is one existing vehicle access point into the site along a secondary road that leads onto Hendford.”

“To the rear/south of the building is Penn Hill Park, which includes mature trees and open grass areas, which via a footpath and across the road leads to the larger Country Park. The surrounding area of mixed-uses also includes, Hendford Manor (Grade II* listed) to the west, the associated Hendford Manor Coach House (Grade II listed), Petters Way car park to the north and Maltravers House, a multi-storey office block, to the east.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The theatre was built in 1974 and has had later extensions, with a larger refurbishment and extension scheme permitted in 2023.

“The main building was constructed in 1974 with later extension to the fly- tower, provision of a rehearsal room, erection of a scene dock, plant room extension and new flue.”

“22/02486/FUL - Partial demolition, renovation and extension of Octagon Theatre, Yeovil. Expansion of main auditorium from 622 to 900 seats, construction of 2no. new cinemas, dance studio and expanded foyers. Construction of new theatrical fly-tower and expanded backstage provision. Permitted with conditions 17/03/2023”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers supported the scheme because it benefits the local economy and community, uses a sustainable location and provides public benefits outweighing less than substantial heritage harm.

“The scheme would be a positive benefit for the economy and local community, and the location is sustainable.”

“There is less than substantial harm to heritage assets which is outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme, landscaping and planting will help to mitigate this harm and enhance the area around the building, and access and parking are acceptable.”

Officer report

Consultees’ views

Highways, environmental health, archaeology and ecology consultees raised no objection subject to controls, while conservation officers identified heritage harm and tree concerns were resolved.

“Environmental Health No Objection Noise levels from any associated plant will be compliant with agreed noise levels and the nearest noise sensitive receptors.”

“Conservation Some concerns relating to the massing of the extension on the rear (south) elevation, although no objection to the scheme as a whole.”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

No members of the public registered to speak, and the planning officer presented the application and explained why it came to committee.

Members’ questions

Members clarified that disabled parking would remain, venue capacity would not increase and construction traffic would be managed through a construction plan.

“The Chair invited comments and questions from the committee, and the following points of clarification were given:”

“Designated disabled parking is being retained. • The proposal does not increase capacity at the venue. • Delivery and construction traffic will be managed by a construction management plan.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted for the theatre refurbishment, extensions and external landscaping, subject to conditions and revised tree and landscaping requirements.

“That planning permission for an application for refurbishment and extensions to the Octagon Theatre. Improvements to the external areas with landscaping, be GRANTED subject to planning conditions, and the following revisions to planning conditions 4, 5 and 6.”

Minutes