BCP Council (Poole): Matt Annen, director of Pure Town Planning has recently secured planning permission for the conversion, extension, and alterations to a pub/restaurant in Ashley Cross known as Maison Sax.

The scheme was designed and originally submitted by DMW Architects and Pure Town Planning were asked to get involved to help push the application through to a successful conclusion. The various changes approved were:-
· Conversion of a first floor unoccupied roof space to a private dining area; · installation of rooflights;
· Hardstanding to the side of the building to provide staff car parking;
· Demolition of 2 x chimneys;
· Painting the exterior of the building;
· Erecting a 1m brick wall with railings over to enclose the external open space at the front of the pub and use as pub garden;
· Formalising the rear garden area and reducing the area of car park by conversion to pub garden;
· Erecting 2m high rendered walls in the rear pub garden;
· Erecting a pergola in the rear garden;
· Erecting a purpose built external fire;

Whilst on the face of it these changes do not appear too contentious, it is important to note that the property is a Locally Listed Heritage Asset located within the Ashley Cross Conservation Area. The building appears on historic maps (1870 OS map) and is one of the earliest buildings in the area. Architectural detailing is one of the chief characteristics of the Victorian and Edwardian buildings in the area. Because of this, and in our view because of the lack of capacity of the appointed planning officer dealing with the application, in this case registration to decision took over 2 years. This is completely unacceptable for a commercial business to be held in limbo that long.

Unfortunately, since the original application was made coronavirus has hit the hospitality and leisure industry hard. In light of this pandemic it is very likely that we are going to see significant changes in the way these types of premises operate in the coming months as the careful restarting of our economy begins to take place and high streets up and down the country start to spring back to life.

In light of the social distancing regulations, perhaps you are planning on extending your business premises to accommodate the requirements, or perhaps you are in the hospitality sector and looking to better utilise your outside space or make other improvements to allow your business to open safely. If you need a successful firm of town planning consultants on your side to push through your expansion/adaptation plans; then contact us on 01202 585524 or info@puretownplanning.co.uk to find out how we can assist you.