Bold new proposals to modernise a former convenience store on High Street – which is in Ruddington’s conservation area – have been given the green light by Rushcliffe planners.
We reported last December that Barclay & Cook, at 7-9 High Street, had closed its doors after over forty years under the stewardship of David Cook when dwindling trade prompted his decision to sell the shop and retire. The existing premises (below) will now be substantially redeveloped by the new owner – with the removal of the current pitched and flat roofs to enable another floor upstairs plus a new shop front and entrance gates.
Welham Architects‘ striking, contemporary design – which includes grey zinc cladding on a new first floor – certainly raised some eyebrows with traditionalists. There was also an objection to the original submission from the owner of a neighbouring property who complained his daylight would be blocked by the new top storey.
Rushcliffe Borough Council‘s Conservation Officer James Bate had observed: “The building would introduce a very different building into the courtyard space at the rear as well as introducing new materials not seen within that area, an area which at present is highly consistent and provides a discrete and intimate setting from the grade II listed framework knitters workshop building. I would conclude that the proposal would be harmful to the setting of a grade II listed building and that as such it would fail to ‘preserve’ the element of significance which that building gains from the context of its setting.” Ruddington Parish Council added: “The Parish Council would welcome the building being developed and modernised but in a way that is more sympathetic to the conservation area.”
However, most village residents and traders seemed to come out in favour of the very 21st Century plans (reference 18/00212/FUL) which have now been approved. Principal Area Planning Officer Lewis Marshall wrote: “The design approach is highly contemporary, with the upper floor and roof faced in grey, hard metal sheet cladding with standing seam joints – the ground floor is detailed in brickwork in a nod towards the more common traditional use of materials in the area.” He continues: “Given that the existing building is somewhat at odds from the character of its neighbours, and that the proposed design is a well-designed contemporary one, I would not suggest that the proposal would be harmful to the character of the conservation area.”
The granting of planning permission comes with various caveats, including commencement of the work within three years and the Borough Council’s approval of the facing bricks to be used before any construction starts. You can read the FULL officer’s report >>HERE<<.
