Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Tue 27 Aug 2024

Consultation Date: Thu 03 Oct 2024

Consultation Date: Tue 27 Aug 2024

Comment Date: Wed 25 Sep 2024

Thank you for consulting Historic Environment about the above planning application for replacement shopfront railings at 13-17 New George Street. A building identified as making a positive contribution to the City Centre Conservation Area within the City Centre Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan. We previously submitted comments related to the removal of the railings the 25th September 2024.

We do not object to the principle of replacement with new railings that match the existing in material and design. However we note that the proposed railings do not match the existing in either material or design. We do not object to the change in material to galvanised steel, but the increase in height from 850mm to 1100mm and the reduction of the infill bar spacing from 230mm to 100mm will result in greater visual emphasis on the new railing. The increase in height and number of infill bars has the potential to harm the visual balance of the building façade which is a fine Beau-arts inspired composition. Mid and high level railings are a material feature of the façades of almost all buildings on the east end of New George Street, Old Town Street and Royal Parade. They add architectural balance to the elevation, material cohesion to the streetscene and make a collective contribution to local character and distinctiveness.

Following the submission of the previous iteration there was discussion around providing compliant fall protection internally or through window upgrade that would result in no alteration of the external architectural elements. This does not appear to have taken place. Loss of original fabric and features is not considered a negligible impact particularly when other options do not appear to have been explored.

We remain unsupportive of the proposal and consider the piecemeal loss of original architectural features to be a significant issue within the Conservation Area that will dilute the special architectural and historic interest of the CA. We do not disagree that the health and safety of those using the building is of paramount, but we would expect a clear evidenced base justification as to why fall protection cannot be incorporated internally in a way that would result in no harm to the conservation area.