Knutsford event venue sails through committee
Plans by local developer One London Road to convert the grade two-listed Marshall House, a school more recently used as an auction house, have been greenlit by Cheshire East Council.
As summed up by planning officers recommending approval, the proposal is for change of use at the 21,000 sq ft redbrick building, which sits on Church Hill in the Knutsford town centre conservation area.
A flexible consent was sought with the intention being to promote the venue for weddings and other events or conferences.
With a series of comments largely welcoming the re-use of the building and the jobs the project could bring aired in the chamber, the plans were approved unanimously in around 30 minutes.
The proposed development will include part two-storey and part-one storey extensions to the rear and west side, with officers observing that potential harm to designated heritage assets is considered to be less than substantial, and balanced by public benefits including putting a currently disused listed building back into a viable and suitable town centre use.
The Planning Studio is advising, with DV8 Design Studio engaged as architect.
Proposed for removal are an existing metal escape stair, and a small lean-to on the north-west corner.
Dating from the 1890s, the building was originally known as the Egerton Church of England School, and sits next to the former town hall, now home to the Lost & Found bar. This building is also listed, as is the St John the Baptist church opposite.
Knutsford Town Council said it welcomes the proposals, but suggested some alterations. A small number of representations followed a similar pattern.
The applicant is described in planning documents as currently delivering the conversion of a former bank branch in Alderley Edge in a workspace project.
Well known North West businessmen Mark Boler and Ged Mason are listed as directors of One London Road, with TPS’s planning statement describing the development vehicle as owned by a number of locally based successful businessmen who take pride in creating highest quality developments for public use and bringing new life to historic buildings.
Full documentation relating to the application can be viewed on Cheshire East’s planning portal with the reference 21/5803M.
Hello – I wonder if their offering is any different, as Flat Cap couldn’t seem to make a go of it at the Courthouse?
By Danielle Hulme
Such as shame that extension is so unattractive and not in keeping!
By Observer
Interesting proposed Project.
By Trevor Bethell
I wish they got Evoke Architecture on this, they’ve done some amazing traditional works with a contemporary twist rather than a big box on the side of this lovely building.
By Anonymous