Town centre refurbishment at 11 - 19 Town Square, Town Centre, Stevenage

The site

The site is a three-storey building in the town centre and Town Square Conservation Area, near listed structures in the main square.

“- 2 - 1. SITE DESCRIPTION 1.1 The application site is located within the designated area of Stevenage Town Centre as well as the Town Square Conservation Area. The site comprises a pre-cast reinforced concrete three-storey flat roofed building which consists of crittall glazed windows, exposed stone aggregate panels and brickwork. 11-19 Town Square makes up the north eastern most parade of units bounded to the west by the former bus station, now known as Event Island.”

“To the south of the application site is the main Town Square which comprises the Grade II Listed Clock Tower and Surrounding pool. There is also the Grade II Listed Joy Ride which comprises a bronze mother and child sculpture by Franta Belsky. The sculpture is set on top of a platform with stairs and railings to either side.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

A previous permission covered the roof, windows and fascia boards, while a later application for screened mechanical plant was withdrawn.

“- 3 - seeking permission in this case is the installation of air conditioning units and screening, and louvred screens to 6no. windows. The current application was submitted as the location of the units is outside the original red line plan for planning permission reference 24/00544/FP. The units would be sited on the roof of an existing single storey flat roof projection within the service yard area to the rear of the building.”

“As approved under planning permission reference 24/00544/FP the replacement fascia boards, replacement windows and roof works have all been undertaken in accordance with the above planning permission. The current application sites these works as they were not complete at the time of submission and best practice advises that where works are still being undertaken and the development is revised, any new application include said works.”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval, concluding that the alterations would not adversely affect the building, the conservation area or its setting.

“CONCLUSIONS 8.1 In summary, the proposed external alterations and installation of air conditioning units and screening would not have an adverse impact on the building aesthetic and wider visual impact on the Conservation Area and its setting.”

“Given the above, the proposed development accords with the Policies contained within the adopted Local Plan (2019), the Council’s Supplementary Planning Documents, the NPPF (2024) and NPPG (2023).”

Officer report

Consultation and representations

The historic advisor supported approval, Environmental Health found the likely noise impact modest, and no public observations were received.

“B.E.A.M.S Councils Historic Advisor 5.1.1 Consent has previously been granted for alterations and upgrades to 11 – 19 Town Square under application 24/00544/FP. The current application proposes the following changes: The installation of air condition units with an acoustic screen on a flat roof to the rear elevation and the provision of a louvred screen to 6 windows on the rear elevation.”

“My observations of the noise output from the plant, the prevailing noise climate of the area, and a review of local noise complaint records suggest that the noise impact of the application is likely to be modest. Accordingly, I do not recommend any conditions should the Local Planning Authority be minded to approve the application. RELEVANT PLANNING POLICIES 6.1 National Planning Policy Framework…”

Officer report

Who spoke

A presentation was given, and the Team Leader explained that the rear area would form part of future regeneration.

Members’ debate

Members asked about the upkeep of the rear shops and whether plans existed to address it; the works were described as temporary.

“Members raised concerns regarding the upkeep of the rear of the shops and queried whether plans were in place to address this. In response, the Team Leader advised that the area would form part of the SG1 regeneration in the future, and these works were only for a temporary period of time.”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was granted subject to the approved plans, a three-year commencement condition and informatives.

“A recorded vote* was taken on the application and it was RESOLVED that planning permission be GRANTED subject to the following conditions and informatives:”

“The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: SGEH-BBA-ZZ-RF-DE-A-2204 Rev P01; Site Location Plan; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-3002 Rev 02; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ- SH-A-7751 Rev P01; 00-M-01-0300-01 T1; SGEH-BBAZZ-01-DR-A-2202 Rev C01; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-RF-DR-A-2006 Rev P01; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-RFDR-A- 2104 Rev P01; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ-DR-A-3001 Rev 02; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ- DR-A-3003 Rev C01; SGEH-BBA-ZZ-ZZ-SH-A-7051 Rev P01.”

Minutes