63-room hotel at 67-71 High Street, Worcester

“The site contains a prominent four storey corner building, located on the west side of High Street, at the junction with Bank Street to the north of the site. The existing building was constructed in the 1960s as a department store for Bobby and Co. Ltd and replaced earlier buildings which were previously on the site, dating from the 18 th and 19 th century.”

“The site is a prominent building within Worcester High Street, located within the Primary Shopping Frontage of Worcester City Centre Primary Shopping Area. The site is also located within the Historic City Conservation Area.”

“The site has been the subject of the following planning applications: 11118A/1 - Outline application for proposed reconstruction and extension on old dispensary site (Scheme H). Approved 17 December 1954. 11118B - Elevations of proposed reconstructed store. Approved 5 June 1959. 11118C - Reconstruction of existing store. Approved 3 July 1959. 11118F - Reconstruction of store revised 2nd floor details. Approved 17 November 1961.”

“P93L0327 - Erection of loading bay extension at first floor above Unit C11. Approved 18 August 1993. P93L0367 - Installation of new shopfront at Unit C11, canopy alterations to 69 High Street and installation of shop window within loading bay on Bank Street. Approved 7 October 1993. P94L0228 - Relocation of fire exit doors. Approved 15 July 1994. P98L0177 - Proposed alterations to Bank Street elevation and air conditioning units on roof of building. Refused 2 July 1998.”

“Policy SWDPR 01 of the South Worcestershire Development Plan Review sets out overarching sustainable development principles and these are consistent with the Framework. The various impacts of the development have to be assessed and the benefit and adverse impacts considered, to establish whether what is proposed is sustainable development.”

“It is fundamental to the vitality and viability of Worcester High Street and City Centre that this building is brought back into use in an appropriate manner and will have benefits in terms of increasing the supply of visitor accommodation in the City Centre, boost the economy in terms of jobs and visitors to local independent shops and hospitality, whilst retaining the ground floor active shopping frontage within Primary Shopping Frontage of Worcester City Centre Primary…”

“Highways 7.35 Policy SWDPR 06 of the South Worcestershire Development Review (2026) states that “Development proposals, taking into account their nature and location, must demonstrate that the proposed layout and design will minimise the need to travel by car, provide infrastructure to facilitate active travel, avoid unacceptable impact on highway safety, and that the residual cumulative impacts on the road network, following mitigation, would not be severe, and have regard…”

“Policy SWDPR 39 (Sustainable Drainage Systems) details that to minimise flood risk, improve water quality and groundwater recharge, and enhance biodiversity and amenity interest, all development proposals (as appropriate to their nature and scale) will be required to demonstrate, through a Water Management Statement, that site drainage and run off will be managed in a sustainable and co-ordinated way that mimics the natural drainage network using multiple features.”

“A proposal to approve the application had been made and this was seconded. There being no further points made the Chair requested the voting of each Member of the Committee who were eligible to vote. Following the recording of the votes the proposal was agreed as recommended, subject to the amendment of conditions 9, 10 and 26 as set out in the late paper.”

“RESOLVED: That the Planning Committee grants planning permission, subject to the conditions set out in section 9 of the report and to the update of conditions 9, 10 and 26 as set out in the late paper.”