Listed building extension at Tudor Cottage Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester

What was proposed

The application proposed a two-storey rear extension, replacement dormer coverings and internal alterations to Tudor Cottage.

“This application seeks planning permission for a proposed two storey rear extension and the replacement of the north elevation dormer coverings at Tudor Cottage, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton.”

Officer report

The site

Tudor Cottage is a Grade II listed building in a conservation area, with a timber frame, rendered plinth and tile roof.

“Tudor Cottage is a Grade II listed building. The list entry for Tudor Cottage states: House. C17 with mid-C19 and late C20 alterations. Timber-frame on rendered plinth, painted brick infill, tile roof. Two framed bays aligned east/west, with a lower framed bay to west end, gable end stacks, C20 extension to east. South front: one storey with attic lit by two raked top dormers; five windows to ground floor, mostly 2-light C20 casements. Entrance to right in C20 extension.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier applications concerned loft conversions, repairs, alterations, a shed and previous proposed extensions at the property.

“W/22/00018/LB. Timber-frame repairs to the south elevation. Realignment of rafter to end gable and associated works. Alterations to infill panels. Repairs to bargeboards.. Tudor Cottage, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester, WR7 4NA. APL. Jun 27 2022”

“W/24/02300/LB. Proposed extensions and internal alterations.. Tudor Cottage, Abbots Morton Road, Abbots Morton, Worcester, WR7 4NA. INC. Feb 20 2025”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because the extension would dominate and detract from the listed building, causing less than substantial heritage harm without public benefits to outweigh it.

“By virtue of its siting and design, as well as the cumulative impact of modern additions, the proposed development would over dominant and detract from the historic character of the Grade II listed building. The extension would therefore cause less than substantial harm to the heritage asset and would need to be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal. In this case, the listed building is a private dwelling and so there would be no public benefits of the proposal.”

“The proposed extension, by virtue of its design and the cumulative impact of modern additions, would over dominate and detract from the character of the Grade II listed Tudor Cottage. The proposal would fail to preserve the character of the host building and its significance as a designated heritage asset and would therefore cause less than substantial harm to a heritage asset, There are no public benefits that have been identified that are considered to outweigh this.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council had no objections, while the conservation officer considered that the cumulative extensions risked dominating the heritage asset.

“Abbots Morton Parish/Town Council: No objections.”

“Conservation Officer: The historic core of the property is shown on the epoch 1 map (1843-1893) as a simple two bay property, typical of a Worcestershire rural workers dwelling of the period. As a result of these extensions the cumulative impact is that the extensions risk dominating the heritage asset. It is acknowledged that the proposed extension is situated at the east end of the 70s extension. This is presumably to help reduce the visual impact on the heritage asset.”

Officer report

Support for the proposal

Supporters said the proposal would be small, away from the oldest part of the property and not visible from the public road.

“Not visible from the public road • Small in size • Away from oldest part of the property…”

Officer report

Who spoke

The applicant spoke in support of the application, and a site visit had taken place.

The committee vote

A councillor proposed and another seconded delegating authority to grant listed building consent with appropriate conditions.

“It was proposed by Councillor E J Kearsey and seconded by Councillor A I Hardman and…”

“To delegate authority to the Director of Planning and Infrastructure to grant Listed Building Consent with an appropriate set of conditions attached.”

Minutes