A BID to transform the upper floor and roof of a kitchen and bathroom showroom housed in a Grade II listed building into flats, has been opposed by town councillors.
Westbury Town Council’s highways, planning and development committee said the bid for 29 – 35 Edward Street would be detrimental to the townscape and would create parking issues.
A planning report explained that the new owner of the 1930s building would retain the use of the ground floor as a showroom, currently operated by FG Collier. Members heard the applicant sought to change the use of the first floor to a 2-bed flat and create a roof extension for another 2-bed flat.
Cllr Brenda Pyne raised concerns that the access to the proposed flats was already tight and would have to be expanded, and also about the height of the building once the roof was raised.
“The surrounding properties are two storeys, but to put an extra level on will raise the height of this building,” she said. “They are providing accommodation without a hint of provision about parking.“
She disagreed with a statement by the applicant that future residents of the flats would pay for permits to park in public car parks. “They are going to be parking on the roads,” cllr Pyne added. “It’s somebody who’s bought a building, seen the potential of putting accommodation on the first floor, then is trying to maximise that with building into the roof.”
Cllr Jane Russ described herself as an advocate of 1930’s architecture and said, “I understand about the parking issue and I’m extremely unhappy about it.”
She added about the roof plans, “I’m not certain how they can get round that, but I would like to reassure people that this is very much the way that work is carried out on this type of building. Behind the parapet there’s always issues with the front of the roof. I think in some way if it stays the same it could be an issue in later life.
“I’m a very keen advocate of 1930s’ design. I think we have to be sensible and try and resolve the parking issue.”
Cllr Gordon King also raised concerns about access and parking issues, saying, “This is a classic Art Deco building with a pitched roof to the front
“Changing the roof line changes the meat of the building considerably. It’s not acceptable in policy and I wouldn’t support it.”
“This is a Grade II listed building and I agree about the parking,” said cllr Ward Jones. “I believe changing it would be detrimental to the townscape.
“I want to object to the damage of a Grade II listed building, and it is remiss to say people will park in the town centre car park.”
Cllr Ian Cunningham said he was torn. “It’s important a building like this stays as a shop – it’s a very special building and we have the parking problem.
“I’m coming in favour of saying perhaps this shouldn’t happen. The parking is going to be an issue. On the whole, people won’t buy permits.
Cllr Mike Kettlety agreed with cllr Russ and said, “We are in a situation where extra accommodation in our town is very much required. It’s important that we maintain the commercial aspect within our town
“Here’s a proposal that offers both. There’s a problem with parking, but there’s no less than we have throughout the town. We need to breathe some life back into the town. Sympathetic accommodation within the town is important to the survival of Westbury.”
Members voted 7 to 1 with one abstention to oppose the plan. Their recommendation will be forwarded to Wiltshire Council who will decide the outcome of the planning application.
