Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Thu 12 Dec 2024

Consultation Date: Fri 22 Nov 2024

Consultation Date: Fri 22 Nov 2024

Consultation Date: Fri 22 Nov 2024

Consultation Date: Fri 22 Nov 2024

Comment Date: Tue 14 Jan 2025

Thank you for consulting Historic Environment about the above planning application for cladding replacement. 16-20 North Street is an unlisted modern building within the Ebrington Street Conservation Area. It is of no heritage significance but alterations to its built form and material palette will impact the setting of the conservation area streetscape.

Historic Environment support the principle of re-cladding the building to address fire safety concerns with the existing claddings. The replacement of the existing timber cladding with aluminium shiplap cladding is acceptable, but we note the concerns of our UD colleagues who have concerns about the appearance of the proposed replacement cladding. The original design intention was for the untreated timber cladding to weather to a silvery grey, similar to Plymouth limestone. The dark brown Wenge colour proposed is not in keeping with the original intended colours of the cladding, as such we question whether it would not be more appropriate to colour match the intended grey cladding aspiration. The colour looks very dark and may not sit well in the streetscape.

Our preference would also be for a smooth plank, rather than an imitation timber grain effect, keeping the intervention honest rather than recreating the existing cladding. The cladding's coating must be robust enough to cope with the local maritime weather conditions. Powder coatings have historically performed poorly wearing off aluminium, a situation we would like to avoid in future.

The works as proposed within this application are considered to result in less than substantial harm to the significance of the conservation area. The proposal will result in harm to to contextual views of the conservation area streetscape although impact on designated listed buildings looks to be negligible. The public benefit resulting from the proposal is considered to be high with the removal of potentially dangerous materials that pose a fire risk. Therefore in weighing up the impact of the development on the significance of the designated heritage asset and the public benefit resulting from the proposal, Historic Environment find the proposed development acceptable with no conditions, as such the development is considered compliant with DEV21 of The Plymouth and Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan, NPPF guidance (DEC 2024) and The Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. However, we strongly urge the applicant to consider the colouring of the proposed cladding and give due consideration to the Urban Design consultation response.

Comment Date: Fri 13 Dec 2024

Ref: 953934

Observations: No Comments

Summary of Response - Approval

Comment Date: Mon 25 Nov 2024

Whilst there are no in-principle objections in respect of these replacement cladding works, in view of the close proximity of the building to the public highway it is recommended that a condition be attached to any grant of consent relating to the need for a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP).

CONSTRUCTION TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT PLAN
The cladding works hereby proposed shall not commence until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP). The said CTMP shall be submitted prior to the commencement of the cladding works and shall include details relating to the detailed programme of works, details of construction vehicle movements including number, type and size of vehicles; construction operation hours; routes being used by construction vehicles and contractors parking arrangements. The cladding works hereby proposed shall be carried out strictly in accordance with the approved CTMP.

Reason:
To ensure that the traffic impacts associated with the approved cladding works does not lead to adverse impacts upon the operation of the Local Road Network in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the Plymouth and South West Devon JLP 2019.