PRESTWICH DESIGN GROUP

Halecroft, 253 Hale Road, Hale, Cheshire, WA15 8RE. Tel: 0161 904 5322 Fax: 0161 904 5331

16th November 2018

Planning Department BROADLAND Broadland District Council DISTRICT COUNCIL Thorpe Lodge 3 Dec 2018 1 Yarmouth Road 20181956 Thorpe PLANNING CONTROL St Andrew NR7 0DU

Dear Sir/Madam,

SPROWSTON MANOR HOTEL, GOLF and COUNTRY CLUB, WROXHAM ROAD, , NR7 8RP

I have submitted an application via the Planning Portal for variation of Condition 1 of Planning Permission 20150975 (dated 06 August 2015) to allow for the retention of the marquee at Sprowston Manor Hotel for an additional period of 5 years.

Background - Marquee Temporary planning permission for the marquee was granted on 20 April 2006 (20050272). The decision notice concluded that “the proposal for a marquee to supplement the existing facilities offered by the existing hotel and golf club on this site is acceptable in principle subject to the proposal not causing detriment to the amenities of nearby residents or the character and appearance of the area or highway safety”. The proposal was considered to be in accordance with the provisions of the Development Plan.

In 2015, planning permission (20150975) for the marquee was extended for five years, until 6 August 2020.

The marquee has continued to be a valuable and popular asset to the hotel facilities and many of the social events held there are organised by local people. Due to this success, the applicants would like to keep the marquee in place for an additional temporary period of 5 years whilst options are considered for a permanent event space.

Background - Change of Ownership Britannia Hotels Ltd. purchased Sprowston Manor Hotel, Golf and Country Club from Marriot Hotels on the 18 July 2018) together with 4 other Hotels, including 2 Golf and Country Clubs.

Britannia Hotels was founded in 1976 and is now the largest independent hotel company in the UK. Britannia owns and operates 59 hotels and 6 holiday parks throughout the country and is an expanding business. The majority of the hotels are large landmark properties of particular Prestwich Design Group Halecroft, 253 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8RE Tel: 0161 904 8686

- 1 - Sprowston Manor Hotel, Golf and Country Club architectural and historic interest. Of these, approximately 15 hotels are listed buildings, with 5 being Grade II* listed. Many of the non-listed buildings are in conservation areas and Britannia has an excellent track record as the custodian of these buildings and in operating in and around conservation areas nationwide.

Britannia is responding to a market demand in requesting and extension to condition 1 of the planning permission. We would also like to retain stability in the business model of Sprowston Manor as we get through the first few months and years of ownership. This stability and the extension of time for the marquee will serve to protect jobs at the hotel and stimulate the hospitality economy in this area of .

Photographs of the marquee are provided below:

Prestwich Design Group

Halecroft, 253 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8RE Tel: 0161 904 5322

- 2 - Sprowston Manor Hotel, Golf and Country Club

Prestwich Design Group

Halecroft, 253 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8RE Tel: 0161 904 5322

- 3 - Sprowston Manor Hotel, Golf and Country Club

Planning Assessment The Development Plan comprises the Core Strategy for Greater Norwich (2011) and saved policies from the Local Plan (2006).

Core Strategy Policy 5 provides that the local economy will be developed in a sustainable way to support jobs and economic growth both in urban and rural locations. It states that tourism, leisure, environmental and cultural industries will be promoted.

The marquee generates significant additional income for the hotel and results in the employment of additional staff and other spin-off economic benefits, including additional room bookings. Its retention for a further 5 years would support the aims of Core Strategy Policy 5 by promoting the local economy.

The application site lies within the newly designated Old Catton, Sprowston, , Thorpe St Andrew Growth Triangle.

Core Strategy Policy 10 states that the area will form an urban extension. It is considered that the retention of the marquee in its current location for a temporary period of 5 years would not prejudice the aims of this growth area designation.

The marquee has no adverse impact on residential amenity, the safety and convenience of the highway, the character and appearance of the area or nature conservation, and therefore remains in compliance with Local Plan Policies GS3.

An agreed landscaping scheme was implemented in accordance with Condition 3 of the 2006 permission and has been maintained appropriately. This has ensured that the marquee sits comfortably in its surroundings and promotes the natural and historic assets of the Historic Parkland, in accordance with Local Plan Policies EN9 and ENV10.

In summary, the retention of the marquee would support the local economy, retain a number of jobs for staff and retain a popular event space for local people. It would be in full accordance with the aims of the Development Plan. 4

I trust that the application will be validated shortly and look forward to receiving confirmation from you.

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any queries.

Yours faithfully,

John Wallis Prestwich Design Group On behalf of BRITANNIAHOTELS Halecroft | 253 Hale Road | Hale | Altrincham | Cheshire WA15 8RE

D: 0161 904 5322 E: [email protected]

Prestwich Design Group

Halecroft, 253 Hale Road, Hale, Altrincham, Cheshire WA15 8RE Tel: 0161 904 5322

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