Planning – Application Comments

Consultation Date: Thu 10 Jul 2025

Comment Date: Fri 25 Jul 2025

PLYMOUTH CITY COUNCIL CONSULTEE COMMENTS FOR A PLANNING APPLICATION.

APPLICATION SUMMARY
PLANNING APPLICATION: 25/00924/FUL
ADDRESS: 1 Princess Street Ope, Plymouth, PL1 2EJ
DESCRIPTION: New entrance to existing office building.

CASE OFFICER: Abbey Edwards (Planning Officer)
Development Management, PCC Strategic Planning & Infrastructure, Floor 2 Ballard House PL1 3BJ

CONSULTEE: Gary Lester (Transport Officer)
PCC Strategic Planning & Infrastructure, Transport Planning Team, Floor 2 Ballard House PL1 3BJ

Date: 25th July 2025

COMMENTS:
The Local Highway Authority (LHA) would not wish to raise any objections in principle to the proposed alterations to the main entrance to the building in Princess Street Ope. To replace the existing entrance with a more modern lightweight structure that includes a new glazed entrance canopy.

The proposed entrance canopy would need to provide a minimum head clearance of 2400mm between the surface of the fronting footway and lowest part of the canopy. Which referring to the application drawing titled Existing and Proposed West Elevation suggests it meets that requirement. As the canopy would over-sail the public street the applicant should contact the Local Highway Authority with a view to obtaining an oversailing licence.

SUMMARY:
The LHA would raise no objections recommending the following conditions are included in any consent: -

ENTRACE CANOPY
()The proposed entrance canopy shall be erected and fixed to provide a minimum head clearance of 2400mm between the surface of the fronting footway and lowest part of the canopy.

Reason
To ensure that an appropriate and safe access is provided in the interests of public safety, convenience and amenity in accordance with Policy DEV29 of the adopted Plymouth & Southwest Devon Joint Local Plan 2014 - 2034.


INFORMATIVE
The canopy to be fixed to the face of the building in Princess Street Ope would over-sail the public street therefore the applicant should contact Plymouth Highways with a view to obtaining an oversailing licence (under section 177 of the Highways Act 1980).


Gary Lester
Transport Planning Officer
Officer authorised to sign on behalf of the Service
Director for Strategic Planning & Infrastructure

Comment Date: Wed 16 Jul 2025

Thank you for consulting Historic Environment about the above application for planning permission to create a new entrance to 1 Princess Ope (Formerly Midland House). The building is unlisted but located within the City Centre Conservation Area, within the adopted Conservation Area Appraisal and Management Plan the building is considered a positive contributor to the streetscape.

Historic Environment have no in-principle objections to the proposed development. The existing entrance does not appear to be original and is itself not in keeping with the building aesthetic. The proposed glazed entrance appears to be an improvement to the elevation.

When considering developments that affect a designated conservation area, the Local Planning Authority shall give special attention to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance of that area, as set out in Section 72 of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990. Any harm to, or loss of, the significance of a designated heritage asset (from its alteration or destruction, or from development within its setting), requires clear and convincing justification, NPPF16 Para 213.

The works as proposed within this application are considered to result in negligible to no harm l to the significance of the conservation area as a heritage asset, it is likely that the proposed entrance will be an improvement when compared to the existing entrance The proposal will result in negligible to no harm to the CA or neighbouring listed buildings. Historic Environment find the proposed development acceptable with no recommended 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.