Agenda item

Alterations to and extension of The Elvetham Hotel (to include the provision of 46 guest accommodation units) including:

·           Repair and restoration of chapel within Elvetham Hall

·           Demolition of 1970s extension to Elvetham Hall and erection of a single storey extension to accommodate new rooms

·           Partial demolition of existing extension and reinstatement of internal courtyard to Elvetham Hall

·           Various other minor internal and external alterations to Elvetham Hall

·           Demolition of underground air raid shelter

·           Erection of an events centre featuring basement, ground floor and mezzanine floor and a subterranean access from service wing

·           Demolition of glasshouses

·           Erection of new building attached to existing garden wall and small buildings for use as a spa

·           Renovation and conversion of St Mary's Church to provide function facility

·           Refurbishment of water tower to include installation of platform lift and conversion to guest accommodation units

·           Demolition of Bluebell Cottages and the erection of 2 two storey buildings to provide guest accommodation units

·           Demolition of Heather Cottages and the erection of 3 two storey buildings to provide guest accommodation units

·           Conversion of garden store and erection of a part single part two storey building to be known as Journeyman Cottages to provide guest accommodation units

·           Erection of refuse storage building

·           Erection of fuel tanks, generators

·           Replacement of one and creation of one sewerage treatment plant and associated utilities

·           Resurfacing, rearrangement, and extension to car parking

·           Hard and soft landscaping works

·           Replacement entrance gates

·           Formation of gardener's yard

·           Lighting Scheme.

DECISION – GRANT, subject to referral of the application to the Secretary of State, subject to the conditions and informatives as set out on the Agenda.

The Principal Planner summarised the application as follows:

Alterations to and extension of The Elvetham Hotel (to include the provision of 46 guest accommodation units) including:

·           Repair and restoration of chapel within Elvetham Hall

·           Demolition of 1970s extension to Elvetham Hall and erection of a single storey extension to accommodate new rooms

·           Partial demolition of existing extension and reinstatement of internal courtyard to Elvetham Hall

·           Various other minor internal and external alterations to Elvetham Hall

·           Demolition of underground air raid shelter

·           Erection of an events centre featuring basement, ground floor and mezzanine floor and a subterranean access from service wing

·           Demolition of glasshouses

·           Erection of new building attached to existing garden wall and small buildings for use as a spa

·           Renovation and conversion of St Mary's Church to provide function facility

·           Refurbishment of water tower to include installation of platform lift and conversion to guest accommodation units

·           Demolition of Bluebell Cottages and the erection of 2 two storey buildings to provide guest accommodation units

·           Demolition of Heather Cottages and the erection of 3 two storey buildings to provide guest accommodation units

·           Conversion of garden store and erection of a part single part two storey building to be known as Journeyman Cottages to provide guest accommodation units

·           Erection of refuse storage building

·           Erection of fuel tanks, generators

·           Replacement of one and creation of one sewerage treatment plant and associated utilities

·           Resurfacing, rearrangement, and extension to car parking

·           Hard and soft landscaping works

·           Replacement entrance gates

·           Formation of gardener's yard

·           Lighting Scheme.

Councillor Blewett left the room at 21:28 and returned at 21:31.

Members questions included:

·       Whether any climate change elements had been explored for the development and PV cells on roofs etc.

·       What could be done to reduce climate change implications during the construction phases and potential recycling opportunities during this construction.

·       The potential impact of glazing and heat retention in the proposed spa area, potentially requiring air conditioning and how it could relate to Hart’s climate change targets.

Members debated:

·       The employment opportunities and benefits the application could bring to the local area as a destination.

·       The positive impacts of the proposal to the heritage asset

·       The Environment Agency’s technical objection on flood risk was also discussed and the need for a referral to the Secretary of State to allow a 28-day period for call-in of the decision.

Members praised the application for balancing a modern design with conserving the building and site’s heritage.

Members undertook a recorded vote on the revised recommendation, set out in the Addendum paper and subject to the required referral of the application to the Secretary of State, permission be GRANTED subject to the conditions and informatives set out on the Agenda.

The results of the vote were:

For: Councillors Blewett, Butler, Cockarill, Dorn, Kennett, Makepeace-Browne, Quarterman, Wildsmith and Worlock.

Against: none.

Abstention: Councillor Southern.

DECISION – GRANT, subject to referral of the application to the Secretary of State, subject to the conditions and informatives as set out on the Agenda.

The Principal Solicitor and Principal Planner reminded the Committee that if the Secretary of State does not call-in the application, the Head of Place be delegated authority to issue the decision.  Members confirmed they understood this to be the situation when voting.

Notes:

A site visit was carried out on 19 July 2022 as set out in the Addendum paper.

Rebekah Jubb, on behalf of Bell Cornwell LLP, spoke for the application.