Conversion of Victorian heritage building into 7 flats

McLoughlin Planning have successfully secured planning permission for the conversion of a prominent Victorian building in Cheltenham to provide 7 x new residential flats.

Our client approached us with the aspiration of converting the property into flats and requested guidance on the best steps to securing planning permission. They also wished to use our services in submitting and managing the application on their behalf.

Joe Seymour, one of our Senior Planners, has a wealth of experience working previously for and now with Cheltenham Borough Council and so was an ideal fit to lead the project.

Joe was able to quickly identify that the property is locally listed, in a conservation area and has neighbouring trees with Tree Preservation Orders. Although the property is not on the national list of buildings with Historic England, the building is listed as “Locally significant” in the Conservation Area Character Appraisal for the The Park area of Cheltenham.

After advising the client of the site’s constraints and working with the architect on the layout, siting and number of residential flats to ensure a robust submission, we helped assemble the case with a supporting Planning Statement, review of supporting plans and reports and submitting the application.

The site’s heritage restrictions led to debate with the Council on the impact of on the nearby protected trees. However, through proactive engagement with Council officers and communication with the wider project team, Joe managed to find a solution and secure planning permission.

The proposal provides a great example of the importance in understanding a site’s constraints early on to influence a planning application strategy and therefore identify what investigations and reports are needed to ensure a robust submission. Dedicating the time and resources early in the project can help ensure a smooth planning determination process.

We are so pleased that we have been able to add value to our client’s property and secure additional much needed new homes in Cheltenham. It was a pleasure working with our client and the team at Heta Architects https://hetaarchitects.com/.