BCP Council (Poole): Matt Annen is pleased to have secured planning consent for retrospective alterations to an existing shopfront in Canford Cliffs. The commercial unit was originally the Canford Cliffs Post Office, then it was changed to an independent newsagent and now is currently occupied by the recently opened, Grade 92 Barbering Studios.
The site is located within the Canford Cliffs Village Conservation area and therefore has been considered in relation to Policy PP30 of the Poole Local Plan and the provisions of the NPPF. Policy PP30 states that the Local Planning Authority will expect development to preserve or enhance Poole’s heritage assets and continues by stating that in all cases development should “Preserve or enhance this historic, architectural and archaeological significance of heritage assets, and their settings in a manner than is proportionate with their significance.”
Matt put forward a strong argument confirming that the shop front is similar in appearance and design to many other units along the parade of shops located within the Canford Cliffs Village Conservation Area, where there are a various examples of contemporary shop frontage with large areas of glazing, including the Tesco Express opposite. Thus the new shop front has not appeared out of place in the locality where it has related to nearby shopfronts and assimilate into the character and appearance of the area.
The heritage Officer (who incidentally reported the works to the Council’s enforcement team in the first place when they happened to walk past during construction!) was consulted on the proposed development and advised that whilst (in her view) the unit would have benefited a more traditional in appearance, the shop front is built is practical and functional. Confirming, the proposal “though it does not enhance the character and appearance of the CA, it does preserve the CA in compliance with The Planning (Listed Building and Conservation Area) Act 1990: S.72.”
The application was approved early last month in line with the 8 week target date much to our client’s delight.
If you have a commercial development which requires planning permission contact Pure Town Planning – a cut above the rest.