St. James Street, King's Lynn, Norfolk.

 

Planning Application submitted and approved for the change of use of a vacant art gallery to a restaurant use with a new two bedroom flat created above.  The property is located in the heart of the King's Lynn Conservation Area.

​

Following an initial consultation with the applicants En-Plan drafted a scheme that was subsequently submitted to by King's Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council  for the proposed change of use and the creation of a new C3 residential unit within the building. The proposed extraction ducting proved problematic as the site is adjacent to a Listed Building but the creative use of cladding has allowed the scheme to progress towards approval. A flood risk assessment also accompanied the application and gave the Planning Department the information required to demonstrate the proposal was acceptable in this respect.

​

This application relates to a two and half storey terrace property on the northern side of St James Street, King's Lynn. At the time of a site visit the units was vacant but had been previously used as a hair and beauty salon; The Erica Jane. The building is constructed in red/brown bricks with a natural slate roof. The building at present has an existing shop front with fascia sign which is non illuminated. Windows to the ground and first floor are UPVC. To either side of this unit are commercial operations, Sandringham Windows and The India Gate. Opposite the site is the Greyfriars Tower. The site is located within the King's Lynn Conservation Area.
Planning consent is sought for the change of use from hairdressers to art gallery exhibition space and studio workspace. It is intended to use the ground floor as an art gallery open to the public for exhibition and potential sale of artists work. The first and second floors are to be licensed out to approximately 6 /7 artists for use as studios/workspace and will only be open to the public as part of Norfolk Open Studios or similar events. No external alterations are proposed only minor internal alterations.

​

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONS

The application site is located within the primary retail zone; policy 5/2 of the Local Plan is therefore relevant. This states that non-retail uses which individually or cumulatively adversely affect the function of the primary retail zone will not be permitted. The former use of this vacant unit was a hairdresser which falls within Class A 1. The ground floor is proposed to be an art gallery which will be open to the public for exhibition and potential sale of artists work. It is therefore considered that this proposed use would not adversely affect the aims of this policy. As no external works/additions are proposed it is considered that three is the potential for archaeology on this site. In addition whilst the Conservation officer has requested details of signs and alterations this does not form part of this application, it was therefore considered acceptabkle by the Plannig Department and approved.

​

We are currently working with the applicant in discharging a planning condition relating to materials nd also submitting a building regulations application in order that the change of use and associated building works are completed. correctly.

​

If you would like to find out more about how our Planning Consultancy and Architectural Design Services can work in perfect sync to achieve a successful outcome in the planning system please CONTACT US and we will be only too happy to talk through any questions or development proposals you may have.

​

READ MORE NEWS