Cllr. John Allcock

BH2022/02810 – St Agnes Church, Newtown Road

25^th October 2022:

Installation of high level ventilation grilles to gable ends, handrail to parapet wall of roof and external up/down lighting to south elevation at second floor. (Retrospective)

The first-floor balcony fronts onto Newtown Road and consists of a door opening, artificial hedging on the parapet edge, light fittings and flooring. Metal bars were subsequently added to the balcony area as the artificial hedging was clearly hazardous.

None of these additions were given permission in the original planning application. They may have been commissioned by the applicant but not included in the original planning application for the conversion of the church to a private members club as it this was unlikely to have been permitted.

The whole balcony construction, lights, hedging, bars etc. is not aesthetically in keeping with the architectural character of St Agnes as an attractive old church.

The balcony area itself is quite large and could accommodate a number of people. I understand that a Licensing officer has visited the property and been told that the Club intend to have tables and chairs on the balcony and will serve people drinks and foods. This will inevitably increase noise and be impact negatively on the amenity of residents