Gilbert Scott House, Flax Bourton PROFESSIONAL PLANNING APPRAISAL
placed on the need to conserve heritage assets, including listed buildings (and their
settings), and any harm requires “clear and convincing justification 5 ”. Given this,
any proposals for redevelopment and/or modifications to the existing building will
need to be carefully considered with the setting of the neighbouring listed building
in mind.
3.2 Applications for the creation of a dwelling are required to incorporate sustainable
measures to meet a minimum of 10% of predicted energy use for the residential
development proposals, which is usually met by implementing energy efficiency
measures and the integration of renewal energy sources, such as solar photovoltaic
panels. Similarly, developments will be expected to apply best practice Sustainable
Drainage Systems to reduce any additional impact of surface water run-off.
3.3 The site lies within the designated ‘ North Somerset and Mendip Bats Special Area of
Conservation (SAC) ’, specifically Horseshoe Bat Consultation Zone C, which means
that specialist ecological advice will need to be sought for any necessary bat
surveys that will need to support a development proposal.
3.4 Local to the site, the property includes several mature trees. None appear to be
protected, but their areas of influence will need to be considered when devising
any redevelopment or extension proposals. Some of these trees could also be
considered to form part of the verdant setting of the adjoining listed building,
therefore of visual importance. Specialist arboricultural advice on the condition of
the trees should be sought in any event.
3.5 To the north of site, the surrounding development is bordered by the main southwest
railway line. As such, rail noise will need to be considered for residential
development, and possible noise mitigation incorporated in building upgrades,
new build elements, and possibly private garden areas. Specialist acoustic advice
should be sought and it is likely that the LPA will require this information, as they did
on the other converted care homes adjacent to the site.
5 NPPF, Paragraphs 194
5 | P a g e
Made with FlippingBook Online newsletter