August 24, 2011 12.10 pm This story is over 151 months old

High Street retailers reshuffle denied [U]

Planning denied: Planners refused an application to demolish a High Street building and replace it with a modern glass-fronted shop.

— Update on August 25 @ 9.20am: The City of Lincoln Council Planning Committee refused consent on the grounds that the design of the proposed new building was not appropriate for the conservation area in which the building sits.

Plans have been submitted for the demolition of the 200/01 High Street building to make way for a new building to potentially house retailer River Island.

The existing occupiers, Next and Sundance Fair Trade, have no current plans for new outlets but both have other stores located in Lincoln.

Next have a branch at the Valentine Retail Park and Sundance Fair Trade opened store along Bailgate three months ago.

English Heritage has objected to the application indicating that the case has not been made for the demolition of the building and the design of the building does not enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area.

Plans concerning what will happen to the existing River Island are currently to be decided.

In with the new

The application is for the erection of a three-storey building for retail use on the High Street site.

The planning report concluded that the shop front on the building will positively enhance the character and appearance of the Conservation Area and therefore will not be harmful to the significance of the cathedral and City Centre Conservation Area as a designated heritage asset.

Due to the adjacent site, which houses Lloyds TSB, being a grade II listed building any harmful impact on the significance of a designated heritage asset also needs to be assessed.

There are a number of conditions that will have to met if the planning is approved. Developments will need to commence within three years and there will have to be an archaeological investigation and assessment.

The consideration of design should include scale, height, massing, alignment, materials and use.

The decision will be made at a planning hearing at 5:30 pm, August 24, at City Hall. Members of the public are welcome.