KINGSTON AND NORTH KINGSTON NEIGHBOURHOOD
Conservation Areas Advisory Committee

PLANNING APPLICATION COMMENT FORM
DATE: 9 December 2020

CA1
 RBK ref:

20/02717/FUL 		Address: 1 Thames Street Kingston Upon Thames KT1 1PH

Planning Officer: Andrew Forrest

Description of proposed works:

Re-fit of a grade 2 listed unit including reception counter, bench seating, connections to drainage, electrical installation, ventilation and air conditioning systems.

APPRAISAL

By full committee on …… 9 December 2020 …… with …… 7 …… members present

Issued on 9 Dec 2020


1. Positive support
2. No objection
3. Objection
4. Objection unless revised as below
X
5. No comment/neutral
6. Lack of detail
7. Decision already issued



Reason for objection:

In principle, this is an innovative use for one of Kingston's many empty shops. It appears it can be accommodated internally without much harm to the historic built fabric of the building. However, it is concerning that the applicant doesn't feel it is necessary to provide any external elevations. This is particularly the case considering they are proposing ventilation and the overhaul of the windows. This will need to be provided in order to make a proper assessment of the application. Should this not be provided, the application does not meet the basic validation requirements.

Consideration will also need to be given as to whether any archaeological watching brief is required for the excavation proposed in the basement. We leave to you to contact GLAAS about this to establish whether it is necessary. Further clarification that the timber framing is not to be altered, particularly the timber posts, should be obtained as this can not be said for certain from the plans. It should also be noted that the comment in 3.3 that 'the ground floor is only a sub-section of the listing' is utter nonsense. It is part of the listing and it is just as important as the rest of the building. Indeed, if a proper heritage statement had been written the author might have discovered that it is the most important part of the building!