Concerns over plans to flatten ‘historic’ house
SHOPS AND FLATS PROPOSAL IS EXPECTED TO BE GREENLIT
THE planned demolition of a house so it can be replaced by new homes and shops is expected to be greenlit – despite significant opposition.
The plan to demolish the existing house and outbuildings on Main Street, Calverton, and redevelop the site with three retail units and eight apartments has been recommended for approval at Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee on July 28.
The site is currently occupied by a single vacant home with a roughly L shaped footprint to the east of the Grade II* listed St Wilfrids Church and the west of Calverton Library. The area is currently overgrown with a number of trees and vegetation on the site.
The project would be comprised of two different blocks. Block A, a two-storey development of two retail units at ground floor with two flats above, would be located on the southern boundary of the site fronting Main Street.
Block B, a three-storey development of one retail unit at ground floor and six flats above, would be next to the northern boundary of the site, facing St Wilfrid’s Square.
The rest of the site between the blocks would be car parking, with a total of 13 spaces proposed.
Historic England has previously raised concerns about the project. A letter in February 2020 said: “The proposed demolition of the building would result in the loss of an historic building that contributes to townscape and along with the degradation of the verdant nature of the site, would, in our view, seriously erode the character of this part of the conservation area and the setting of the highly graded church.”
A representative has more recently added to this position: “I remain in agreement with this position. Also, as stated above, a clear and convincing case has not been submitted given the lack of clear evidence deliberate neglect has not occurred and options explored.”
Calverton Parish Council has also opposed the demolition of the property on Main Street.
A representative argued: “This is a property within the Conservation Area of historic interest, being part of a long gone village community of stocking frame knitters within a rural farming village. This property is key to the aesthetics of the village due to its prominent location and should be retained and returned to a residence or converted into three smaller starter properties with parking and gardens.”
Aside from the site’s historic importance, Mark Spencer, MP for Sherwood, expressed concerns about infrastructure around the property. “There is not enough parking for both residents and visitors to the shops. Cars increasingly park on both sides of Main Street which is causing problems. The parking will just be taken up by residents, thereby limiting the amount of people that can and will use them to visit the shops,” Mr Spencer said.
“Infrastructure is needed to be put in place before this application/build is to go ahead. Where is the bus shelter to be relocated? Will the bus be able to pull over safely making it safe for vehicles passing by? The bus stop cannot move towards the zebra crossing and towards the church would bring it in conflict with funeral/wedding vehicles which will need to park in that area when there is an occasion happening. I am very concerned about this development and hope the planning department will look at this application with great care.”
But other bodies have highlighted the potential benefits of the project. According to planning documents, the area’s empty homes officer labelled the anti-social behaviour around the property a “burden” for locals.
The officer added the behaviour had put a strain on the council’s neighbourhood wardens, who have had to carry out extra patrols in the area.
Gedling Borough Council’s economic development team welcomed the development of the site, which it said would add to Calverton’s “growing settlement”. They added the site was difficult to develop and that the applicant STAMP Developments Ltd had made efforts to make the two blocks attractive to occupants.
A Gedling Borough Council report, which recommended the plan be approved, said: “In this case it is considered that the public benefits outweigh the less than substantial harm to the setting of the heritage assets.”