A popular and historic Ruddington public house has submitted proposals which would see its accommodation more than double in size if approved by Rushcliffe Borough Council (RBC).
Owners of The Frame Breakers (formerly The Bricklayers Arms prior to 2015) have applied for planning permission to build a three storey side extension, with two storey side and rear extension, to the existing building at the corner of High Street and Kirk Lane in our village centre.
The Heritage Design and Access Statement drawn up by Welham Architects (who created the images above and below) explains that: “The current landlords have identified an opportunity to grow the business further and enhance the offering from the pub to the community through two strategies, which will ensure the viability of the Frame Breakers for the future.”
The first ‘strategy’ is the expansion of the Restaurant and Bar via:
• Creation of a new commercial kitchen.
• Increasing the internal capacity of the venue
• Providing a new dedicated family dining area
• Retention of the original bar and lounge
• Creating a covered area of outdoor seating
The second ‘strategy’ is that the three storey extension would provide “serviced overnight accommodation” for those visiting the area by providing six one bedroomed self-catering units.
This planning application is now open for public and consultee comments before any RBC decision on whether or not to approve it is made. As it is situated within Ruddington’s Conservation Area, the rather contemporary appearance of the proposed new buildings will certainly come under scrutiny. Additionally, they will reduce the theoretical space for parking – although, since ‘lockdown’, most of the pub’s former car park has been taken up with outdoor seating anyway.
The Design and Access Statement reassures us that: “The historic nature of the village and buildings particularly along main street have played a vital role in the design of the proposed extension. The design aims to complement the post industrial rural landscape and reflect on the history and vernacular found throughout the village.”
Frame Breakers’ licensee, John Noble, adds: “The building, although in conservation area, is in keeping with two previous applications that have been passed; both shown on the plans. Parking-wise we would actually be adding an extra space to our current car park. The planning is to expand the building and create a number of casual letting rooms, ‘Air B&B’ style, as shown on the application. It’s not altering the character or nature of the ground floor business, apart from providing it with a much needed larger floor plan along Kirk Lane. The letting rooms will only make us a better destination village, bring in money for businesses, and make Ruddington even more of a desirable location to live and work.”
All the documents associated with this planning application can be found >>HERE<<. Anyone wishing to comment on these proposals can do so >>HERE<< by the deadline of Thursday 3rd August 2023.
