Sport and fitness facility at Torridge District Council Town Hall, Bideford

“The existing building currently has a mix of uses, which are as follows:- • The basement floor accommodates the main plant room. • The ground floor use of the building is largely vacant; however, was formerly used as a library, offices, reception and members lounge. • The first floor currently has an active use and accommodates the Town Council Chambers, lobby, Mayoral Parlour, robe room, kitchen and the former Magistrate Court, now used as Town Hall meeting room.”

“Proposed Development The application seeks full planning permission for the following development:- • Change of use of the Library to a Gym and Fitness facility, including changing rooms and showers. • Internal alterations to the ground floor offices, reception and members lounge to create a series of Co-Working spaces, break-out spaces and managers office. • Replacement single-storey extension to the rear of the former Library building.”

“1/1251/2002 INTERNAL ALTERATIONS TO BUILDING TO ENABLE INSTALLATION OF PLATFORM PASSENGER LIFT AND ALTERATIONS TO CREATE WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBLE TOILET PER 03.09.2002”

“1/1252/2002 Internal alterations to building to enable installation of platform passenger lift and alterations to create wheelchair accessible toilet PER 03.09.2002”

“The Council’s Conservation Officer has provided comments, which are provided earlier in this report. The Conservation Officer acknowledges that the visual distraction caused by the solar P.V. is considered to be limited and only experienced in a few locations and can be accommodated within wider views along the Quay and concludes that the harm is less than substantial. Consequently, the benefits of the scheme need to be weighed against the minor harm.”

“The Planning Officer concurs with the Conservation Officer's views and considers the harm arising from the scheme can be judged as less than substantial. In the opinion of your Officer, this limited harm is outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme, namely, reintroduces an active use into the predominantly vacant building; would enable the conservation and repair of the heritage asset; would improve the buildings energy load; would improve the accessibility of the…”

“Bideford Town Council: RESOLVED That: recommend approval subject to the Conservation Officer being satisfied with the application.”

“The proposal is considered to be acceptable subject to the receipt of these additional details and would be considered to accord with the guidance in paragraph 215 of the NPPF where the harm to the significance is considered to be less than substantial and this would leave the officer to evaluate the public benefit of the scheme.”

“Number of neighbours consulted: Number of letters of support: Number of representations received: Number of neutral representations: 0”

“The public representations received are summarised below: Objection Comment - Impact on residential amenity, as a result of the noise and vibration impacts from the proposed Air Source Heat Pumps (x 2).”

“Discussion: The Principal Planning Officer briefly presented the listed building consent application, noting its association with the previous planning application and covering internal and external works. Chair noted that public speakers were no longer present at the meeting and opened discussion up to Members. Members noted positive change regarding the internal doors (purpose-made, fire- rated).”

“It was proposed by Councillor Leather, seconded by Councillor Bushby and Resolved: That the application be refused due to harm to the listed building in conflict with Local Plan policies ST15 and DM07, and Section 16 of the NPPF A recorded vote was taken COUNCILLOR For Against Abstain…”

“(Vote: 5 for, 3 against, 1 abstention) Resolved – Refusal citing damage to the listed building by the proposed alterations, conflicting with policies ST15, DM07, NPPF Section 16, and the statutory duty to preserve the listed building. Speakers None present.”