Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, Sp11 6El Planning, Design and Access Statement Prepared by Pegasus Group | York Associates | March 2018 | P16-1353

METHODIST CHAPEL, ST MARY BOURNE, ANDOVER, SP11 6EL PLANNING, DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT PREPARED BY PEGASUS GROUP | YORK ASSOCIATES | MARCH 2018 | P16-1353

FEBRUARY 2018 | DM | P16-1353

PLANNING APPLICATION FOR CHANGE OF USE AND EXTENSION OF METHODIST CHAPEL TO CREATE 1NO. DWELLING

PLANNING DESIGN AND ACCESS STATEMENT

METHODIST CHAPEL, ST MARY BOURNE, ANDOVER, SP11 6EL

ON BEHALF OF YORK ASSOCIATES

TOWN & COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1990 (AS AMENDED) PLANNING AND COMPULSORY PURCHASE ACT 2004

Prepared by: Daniel Millward

Pegasus Group

©Copyright Pegasus Planning Group Limited 2011. The contents of this document must not be copied or reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of Pegasus Planning Group Limited York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

CONTENTS:

Page No:

1. INTRODUCTION 1 2. SITE CONTEXT AND SURROUNDINGS 2 3. THE PROPOSAL 4 4. PLANNING HISTORY 5 5. PLANNING POLICY 6 6. PLANNING STATEMENT 16 7. DESIGN AND ACCESS 20 8. CONCLUSION 21

APPENDICES:

APPENDIX 1: PHOTOSHEET

York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 This Planning, Design and Access Statement has been prepared by Pegasus Group in support of an application to change the use and extend a chapel to create 1no. new dwelling.

1.2 The detailed description of development is as follows:

“Change of use of Chapel and Schoolroom (Use Class D1) to 1no. 2- bedroom dwelling (Use Class C3); demolition of existing link section and erection of new extension and associated works.”

1.3 This Statement sets out the context of the application by reviewing the site and its surroundings in terms of the relevant physical, social, economic and planning context, as well as, the relevant planning history and local and national planning policies. It then goes on to describe the proposed development in detail.

1.4 The main justification section then explores whether the proposal is compliant with the policies in the adopted development plan and considers the proposal against other material considerations including the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), to which the appropriate weight is given. Further, this assessment includes a Design and Access Statement which outlines the process, physical context and strategy that has led to the design of the proposed dwelling.

1.5 This Statement should be read in conjunction with the associated drawings, prepared by York Associates Ltd.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

2. SITE CONTEXT AND SURROUNDINGS

2.1 The Chapel is located within the village of St Mary Bourne (St Mary’s). St Mary’s is a small village and civil parish in northwest Hampshire.

2.2 The site is bound to the north and west by existing agricultural land, to the east by a row of cottages and to the south by the B3048 (Stoke Lane).

2.3 The Bourne Rivulet (EA Main River) is located approximately 40m north of the site. The majority of the Chapel lies within Flood Zone 1, however some of its curtilage and the immediate surroundings lie within the fluvial floodplain (Flood Zone 2 and 3) which is the area at greatest risk of flooding. An extract from the Environment Agency’s flood risk map is included below with the site outlined in red.

IMAGE 1: ENVIRONMENT AGENCY FLOOD MAP

2.4 The site lies within the designated settlement boundary for St Mary Bourne where the principle of development and redevelopment is established.

2.5 The site also lies within the St Mary Bourne Conservation Area and the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

2.6 Whilst the building and surrounding wall are not themselves listed, they are both considered to be “notable” heritage assets of value within the St Mary Bourne Conservation Area Character Appraisal. A group of Grade II Listed cottages lie adjacent to the appraisal site.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

2.7 The building has not been in use for some years and has, as a result, fallen into a state of severe disrepair. The interior has suffered from significant degradation and would require extensive renovation to convert into an attractive, habitable space. The courtyard is also heavily overgrown and some of its vegetation has penetrated into the Chapel itself through gaps in the building’s fabric and broken windows. Many of the windows are boarded up and the paintwork on the exterior is chipped and patchy. A photosheet is attached at Appendix 1 showing the nature of the decay to both the exterior and interior of the Chapel.

APPENDIX 1: PHOTOSHEET

2.8 Whilst the Chapel has retained is structure and a handful of features of architectural interest, it is, currently, an eyesore which ultimately detracts from the appearance of the surrounding area and the setting of the nearby listed cottages.

2.9 The existing layout comprises the main Chapel, the Schoolroom and a link building. The latter was added after the erection of the former two.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

3. THE PROPOSAL

3.1 The proposal is to renovate and convert the Chapel to a two-bedroom, four-person dwelling. To facilitate this conversion, the existing link section will be replaced with a new glass link and a new mezzanine floor will be installed within the main Chapel building.

3.2 The detailed layout is shown on the accompanying drawings. However, to summarise, the following will be contained within each part:

1. Chapel Building: Living/Dining Area and kitchen on ground floor and a bathroom and two bedrooms within the mezzanine floor;

2. Link Building: Living space and new entrance to property;

3. Schoolroom: Ground floor WC, lobby area and additional living space.

3.3 The porch of the existing chapel, which forms the main entrance to the building at present, will be replaced and converted into storage space.

3.4 There is no parking provision proposed on the site. This is because of the desire to retain the wall along the site’s southern boundary (a heritage asset identified within the Conservation Area Character Appraisal) and also because appropriate visibility splays could not be achieved for an off-street parking space within the site.

3.5 A detailed Access Statement has been included as part of the application justifying why no off-street parking has been provided as part of the application and why on- street provision will be acceptable.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

4. PLANNING HISTORY

Application Site

4.1 The site has no recorded planning history.

Other Relevant Applications

4.2 Planning permission (16/02245/FUL) was granted on 23 August 2016 for the, “Change the use from D1 nursery to C3 residential at Cottage Day Nursery North Sydmonton Hampshire.”

4.3 Whilst there were not the same heritage considerations as is the case with this proposal, it is an example of a conversion from D1 to C3 on the grounds that the D1 use had ceased to function thus making the change of use application acceptable.

4.4 Planning permission (15/01424/FUL) was granted on 22 June 2015 for the, “change of use of a former church (class D1) to a Dwelling (class C3). Erection of single storey side extension with glazed link, detached car port/store and internal alterations” at Mission Hall, Sydmonton Road, Hampshire.

4.5 The application site was Grade II Listed and within the North Wessex Downs AONB. It also lay outside of a designated settlement boundary.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

5. PLANNING POLICY

5.1 The national and local planning policy considered relevant to the determination of this application proposal are set down below.

i) National Policy and Guidance

National Planning Policy Framework (March 2012)

5.2 National policy and guidance is set out in the Government’s National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) published in March 2012. The NPPF replaced the previous suite of national Planning Policy Statements, Planning Policy Guidance notes and Circulars into a single, streamlined document.

5.3 Paragraph 14 states that at the heart of the NPPF is a presumption in favour of sustainable development. For decision taking this means approving development proposals that accord with the development plan without delay and where the development plan is absent, silent or relevant policies are out-of-date, granting permission unless:

• Any adverse impacts of doing so would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits, when assessed against the policies in the Framework as taken as a whole; or

• Specific policies in this Framework indicate development should be restricted.

5.4 The purpose of the planning system is to contribute to the achievement of sustainable development and the NPPF sets out three ‘dimensions’ to sustainable development: an economic role, a social role, and an environmental role. The presumption is key to delivering these ambitions, by creating a positive pro- development framework which is underpinned by the wider economic, environmental and social provisions of the NPPF.

5.5 The NPPF also sets out 12 no. core planning principles for delivering sustainable development. Those pertinent to the application include:

• “proactively drive and support sustainable economic development to deliver homes;

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

• always seek to secure high quality design and a good standard of amenity for all existing and future occupants of land and buildings;

• support the transition to a low carbon future in a changing climate, taking full account of flood risk and coastal change, and encourage the reuse of existing resources, … and encourage the use of renewable resources…

• conserve heritage assets in a manner appropriate to their significance, so that they can be enjoyed for their contribution to the quality of life of this and future generations”

5.6 Paragraph 50 advises the following: “To deliver a wide choice of high quality homes... local authorities should (inter alia) ... plan for a mix of housing based on current and future demographic trends, market trends and the needs of different groups in the community.”

5.7 Section 7 of the NPPF relates to design and requires development proposals to demonstrate good design principles by establishing a strong sense of place by using buildings to create attractive and comfortable places to live and work. Design proposals should also respond to local character and history, create safe and accessible environments and be visually attractive (paragraph 58).

5.8 Paragraph 61 of NPPF relates to good design and states that although visual appearance and the architecture of individual buildings are very important factors, securing high quality and inclusive design goes beyond aesthetic considerations. Therefore, planning policies and decisions should address the connections between people and places and the integration of new development into the natural, built and historic environment.

5.9 With regard to heritage assets, the NPPF defines these in Annex 2 as

“A building, monument, site, place, area or landscape meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of its heritage interest. Heritage assets include designated heritage assets and assets identified by the Local Planning Authority (including Local Listing)”.

5.10 The NPPF (page 51) goes on to confirm that Conservation Areas are defined as a Designated Heritage Asset.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

5.11 Paragraphs 100 – 103 outlines the approach to development within Flood Zones 2 and 3, namely the purposes of, and triggers for, the application of the Sequential and Exceptions Tests.

5.12 Paragraph 104 of the NPPF states that applications for minor development and changes of use should not be subject to the Sequential or Exceptions Test but should still meet the requirements for site-specific flood risk assessments.

5.13 Paragraph 131 goes on to state that:

“In determining planning applications, local planning authorities should take account of:

• The desirability of sustaining and enhancing the significance of heritage assets and putting them to viable uses consistent with their conservation;

• The positive contribution that conservation of heritage assets can make to sustainable communities including their economic vitality; and

• The desirability of new development making a positive contribution to local character and distinctiveness”.

5.14 With regard to the impact of proposals on the significance of a heritage asset, paragraph 132 is relevant and reads as follows:

“When considering the impact of a proposed development on the significance of a designated heritage asset, great weight should be given to the asset’s conservation. The more important the asset, the greater the weight should be. Significance can be harmed or lost through alterations or destruction of the heritage asset or development within its setting. As heritage assets are irreplaceable, any harm or loss should require clear and convincing justification.”

5.15 In the context of the above, Paragraph 133 identifies that proposals which would lead to substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset should be refused unless there is an overriding public benefit. Paragraph 134 goes on to state:

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

“Where a development proposal will lead to less than substantial harm to the significance of a designated heritage asset, this harm should be weighed against the public benefits of the proposal, including securing its optimum viable use”.

5.16 Paragraph 137 provides specific guidance in relation to development within Conservation Areas, identifying that local planning authorities should look for opportunities for new development within Conservation Areas to enhance or better reveal their significance. Proposals that preserve or make a positive contribution to the significance of the asset should be treated favourably. The NPPF also provides specific guidance in relation to development within Conservation Areas, stating at paragraph 137 that:

“Local planning authorities should look for opportunities for new development within Conservation Areas and World Heritage Sites and within the setting of heritage assets to enhance or better reveal their significance. Proposals that preserve those elements of the setting that make a positive contribution to or better reveal the significance of the asset should be treated favourably”

5.17 Paragraph 138 goes on to recognise that “not all elements of a World Heritage Site or Conservation Area will necessarily contribute to its significance” and with regard to the potential harm from a proposed development states:

“Loss of a building (or other element) which makes a positive contribution to the significance of the Conservation Area or World Heritage Site should be treated as substantial harm under paragraph 133 or less than substantial harm under paragraph 134, as appropriate, taking into account the relative significance of the element affected and its contribution to the significance of the Conservation Area or World Heritage Site as a whole” (our emphasis)

5.18 Paragraph 187 then confirms that local planning authorities should “look for solutions rather than problems, and decision-takers at every level should seek to approve applications for sustainable development where possible. Local planning authorities should work proactively with applicants to

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

secure developments that improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area”.

5.19 Overall, the NPPF confirms that the primary objective of development management is to foster the delivery of sustainable development, not to hinder or prevent it. Local authorities should approach development management decisions positively – looking for solutions rather than problems so that applications can be approved wherever it is practical to do so.

National Planning Practice Guidance (NPPG)

5.20 The NPPG comprises a web based resource, subdivided into guidance categories, which was originally published in March 2014 and is regularly updated. The NPPG should be read alongside the NPPF as it provides detailed guidance in terms of implementation of the Framework.

5.21 The NPPG sections relevant to the proposal include: Housing – Optional Technical Standards; Planning Obligations; and Conserving and enhancing the historic environment.

5.22 Paragraph: 13 of the ‘Housing – Optional Technical Standards’ section Reference (Reference ID: 56-013-20150327 revision date 27.03.15) places emphasis on the need for tighter water efficiency standards. This is in line with the NPPG’s endeavour to provide high quality housing which meets the needs of present and future generations, and helping to use natural resources prudently.

5.23 Paragraph 18 (Reference ID: 56-018-20150327 revision date 27.03.15) of the ‘Housing – Optional Technical Standards’ section acknowledges that LPAs may wish set out internal space standard policies within their Local Plan. In doing so, the NPPG provides the minimum national space standards which will replace existing different space standards used by LPAs. The minimum standards expected are identified in the table below:

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

An update to the Planning Obligations section of the Government’s Planning Practice Guidance

5.24 Paragraph 31 (reference ID: 23b-031-20161116) of the NPPG outlines the specific circumstances in which affordable housing contributions and tariff style planning obligations should not be sought from small scale and self-build developers. Bullet point one states:

“…contributions should not be sought from developments of 10-units or less, and which have a maximum combined gross floorspace of no more than 1000sqm (gross internal area).”

5.25 This national guidance follows the order of the Court of Appeal dated 13 May 2016, which gave legal effect to the policy set out in the Written Ministerial Statement of 28 November 2014 and should be taken into account.

5.26 The NPPG has a section on the subject of ‘Conserving and enhancing the historic environment’ which a paragraph 009 (ID: 18a-009/20140306 revision date 06.03.2014) confirms that the consideration of ‘significance’ in decision taking is important and states:

“Heritage assets [incl. Conservation Areas] may be affected by direct physical change or by change in their setting. Being able to properly assess the nature, extent and importance of the significance of a heritage asset, and the contribution of its setting, is very important to understanding the potential impact and acceptability of development proposals”

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

5.27 In terms of assessment of substantial harm, paragraph 017 (ID: 18a-017- 20140306, revision date 06.03.2014) confirms that whether a proposal causes substantial harm will be a judgement for the individual decision taker having regard to the individual circumstances and the policy set out within the NPPF. It goes on to state:

“In general terms, substantial harm is a high test, so it may not arise in many cases. … It is the degree of harm to the asset’s significance rather than the scale of the development that is to be assessed. The harm may arise from works to the asset or from development within its setting.

…. works that are moderate or minor in scale are likely to cause less than substantial harm or no harm at all. However, even minor works have the potential to cause substantial harm”.

5.28 Paragraph 46 (Reference ID: 7-046-20140306) sets out the definition of “minor development” in the context of flood risk. The following types of development are considered to be acceptable and exempt from needing to pass the sequential test:

• minor non-residential extensions: industrial/commercial/leisure etc extensions with a footprint less than 250 square metres.

• alterations: development that does not increase the size of buildings eg alterations to external appearance.

• householder development: For example; sheds, garages, games rooms etc within the curtilage of the existing dwelling, in addition to physical extensions to the existing dwelling itself. This definition excludes any proposed development that would create a separate dwelling within the curtilage of the existing dwelling eg subdivision of houses into flats.

ii) Local Planning Policy

Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan (2011-2029)

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

5.29 Policy SD1 outlines the Council’s positive approach that reflects the presumption in favour of sustainable development contained in the National Planning Policy Framework.

5.30 Policy SS1 details the way in which the Local Plan will make provision to meet the target of 15,300 new dwellings and associated infrastructure. The permitting of redevelopment within defined settlement policy boundaries is seen as one such way of resolving this issue.

5.31 Policy EM1 outlines the various criteria that would need to be complied with in order to satisfy the requirement for proposals to be sympathetic to the character and visual quality of the area. The policy also states that development proposals within the AONB or its setting will also be determined in accordance with national planning policy and the criteria set out in the North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan.

5.32 Policy EM4 provides a framework for conserving and enhancing the borough’s existing biodiversity assets while enabling opportunities to achieve a net gain in biodiversity.

5.33 Policy EM7 relates to the Council’s Flood Risk Management strategy. It is worth noting that the Strategic Flood Risk Assessment revealed that only 2.8% of the borough is within the flood plain.

5.34 Policy EM10 sets out the Council’s commitment to delivering high quality development through a design-led approach.

5.35 Policy EM11 sets out the Council’s position on proposals that affect the historic environment. Proposals are likely to be permitted where they enhance the quality, distinctiveness and character of heritage assets (i.e. conservation areas and important buildings).

St Mary Bourne Conservation Area Character Appraisal

5.36 The Conservation Area Character Appraisal provides an overview of the key characteristics and important features of St Mary Bourne Conservation Area, in which the site is located.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

5.37 The appraisal notes the Methodist Chapel as being part of a landmark group of buildings at the junction between the B3048 and Gangbridge Lane.

IMAGE 2: ST MARY BOURNE CONSERVATION AREA CHARACTER APPRAISAL EXTRACT AND KEY

North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan

5.38 This document is the statutory Management Plan for the nationally designated and protected landscape of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB), as required under the Countryside and Rights of Way (CRoW) Act 2000.

5.39 When preparing planning applications, those responsible should make reference to:

• The Management Plan;

• The relevant North Wessex Downs AONB Position Statements and Guidance Notes;

• The Integrated Landscape Character Assessment; and

• The Historic Landscape Character Assessment.

5.40 The document is not fundamentally against small scale development, but it does reduce the weight given to the ‘presumption in favour of sustainable development’ in the determination of planning applications.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

Community Infrastructure Levy

5.41 The Council has produced a draft charging schedule ahead of the intention to adopt the Community Infrastructure Levy. It is understood that the Council are still awaiting the Inspector’s report on the submission draft and, as such, it is not expected to be adopted until the Summer of 2018.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

6. PLANNING STATEMENT

6.1 This section provides an appraisal of the proposed development as described within Section 3 of this statement against the policy context summarised in Section 5. The following elements will be considered as part of the planning assessment:

• Principle of Development;

• Loss of Community Facility;

• Neighbouring Amenity;

• Amenity of Future Occupants;

• Impact on highway safety and parking standards;

• Flood Risk;

• Heritage Assessment; and

• Landscape Assessment.

Principle of Development

6.2 The appraisal site lies within the settlement boundary of St Mary Bourne. Policy SS1 sets out the Council’s requirement to deliver 15,300 new dwellings and associated infrastructure and how it will achieve this. The Council is partly reliant on permitting development and redevelopment within the defined Settlement Policy Boundaries and, therefore, the proposal is acceptable in principle.

Loss of Community Facility

6.3 The site’s previous use was as a Place of Worship. It has been a significant number of years since it was last used for this purpose and has not been occupied or maintained since. The site has not been providing a community benefit for a number of years and this is evidenced by the state of disrepair the building currently finds itself in.

6.4 The loss of the building will have no impact in real terms on the community, leisure and cultural provision within the village. In any case, the facilities within the village are comprised of a shop, post office, public house, school and community hall. The

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

proposal is, therefore, considered to accord with Policy CN8 of the Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan.

Neighbouring Amenity

6.5 The existing built fabric will largely be retained, save for the replacement of the existing “link” building with a slightly larger glazed building. Given that it will sit in between the two larger, more dominant components, the small increase in size will have no meaningful impact in terms of overbearing/overshadowing of the neighbouring properties.

6.6 Similarly, the general window arrangement will be retained and it is not proposed to create any additional windows on either the Chapel or Schoolroom buildings that might increase opportunities for overlooking or affect the privacy of the occupants of the terraced cottages located to the east.

Amenity of Future Occupants

6.7 The gross internal area (GIA) of the proposed dwelling will be 175 sqm (including mezzanine level). This far exceeds the national minimum space standards for a two bedroom dwelling and will deliver a suitable amount of internal space and provide all the requisite amenities to meet the needs of future occupants.

6.8 As there will be no meaningful impact on the amenity of the neighbouring properties to the east through the conversion of the Chapel, the amenity of future occupants of the Chapel will not be affected by the existing neighbouring properties either.

Impact on Highway Safety and Parking Standards

6.9 A detailed assessment of the impact on highway safety and compliance with the adopted parking standards are covered in the accompanying Access Statement, prepared by Hydrafusion.

6.10 Due to the heritage and technical constraints outlined within the Access Statement, off-street parking cannot be provided at the site. However, the Statement identifies a number of alternative, safe locations in which future occupant(s) could park their vehicles in close proximity to the site.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

Flood Risk and Sequential/Exceptions Test

6.11 The Environment Agency’s Flood Map indicates that whilst the Methodist Chapel and proposed extension lie largely within Flood Zone 1, a significant quantity of its curtilage lies within Flood Zone 3a. Consequently, the site falls within Flood Zone 3a and necessitates an assessment of flood risk.

6.12 A separate Flood Risk Assessment has been prepared in support of the application. This demonstrates that no unacceptable flood risk would arise from the development.

6.13 Turning to the Sequential Test and Exceptions Test it is considered that neither of these are applicable.

6.14 Paragraph 104 of the NPPF states that, “applications for minor development and changes of use should not be subject to the Sequential or Exceptions Test”. The application consists of a change of use and a minor extension to the building to create a glazed link between the two existing buildings.

6.15 Given that the application involves changing the use of the building and a minor householder extension, it is considered that the proposal is compliant with the provisions of Paragraph 104 of the NPPF and is exempt from the requirement to pass either the sequential and exception tests.

6.16 To conclude, the scheme gives rise to no unacceptable flood risk and the fall-back position warrants treatment of the application as ‘minor development’ for the purposes of the sequential test. The proposal therefore gives rise to no flood risk issues.

Heritage Assessment

6.17 A separate heritage assessment has been prepared in support of the application given that the site lies within, and is identified as contributing positively to, the St Mary Bourne Conservation Area.

6.18 The assessment confirms that the proposed alterations would result in the loss of later building additions and would result in minimal loss of historic fabric, with the addition of restoring the exterior of the building and providing a new viable function.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

6.19 Furthermore, the building is identified as being a key focal point within the Conservation Area and its restoration would result in an improvement to the condition and appearance of the Conservation Area.

6.20 The benefits identified within the assessment are substantial and should be afforded considerable weight in the determination of the application.

Landscape Assessment

6.21 A separate Landscape Masterplan has also been prepared in support of the application. In short, the external areas of the site will be predominantly lawned with a small amount of ornamental planting as indicated on the accompanying plan. The existing gravestones will be retained.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

7. DESIGN AND ACCESS

Design

7.1 In terms of the physical alterations to the Chapel and Schoolroom, these will be relatively minimal as it is proposed to largely maintain the existing fabric.

7.2 The existing window arrangement will be retained and no new windows are proposed. The existing porch will also be retained although it will cease to function as an entrance to the property following its conversion to storage space. The main entrance will be via the glazed extension.

7.3 The main change to the physical appearance of the dwelling will be by virtue of the proposed replacement extension. This will be a fully glazed, high quality replacement “link” building. The glazed link has been chosen to ensure a degree of visual separation between the existing buildings as, whilst not statutorily listed, they are identified within the Conservation Area Character Appraisal as being heritage assets of some significance. The glazed link will, therefore, ensure they can still be appreciated individually.

7.4 In any case, the existing extension to be replaced by the glazed extension is a later, modern addition itself and there are no overriding reasons why a “traditional” aesthetic would be preferable in this instance.

7.5 Furthermore, the proposed extension will contrast positively with the host buildings and, whilst largely screened from the public realm, will ultimately enhance and enrich the character of the streetscene where views of it are possible.

7.6 To summarise, the glazing will help limit the visual impact of the extension whilst ensuring that the two principal buildings, identified as heritage assets of some significance in the Conservation Character Area Appraisal, will retain a degree of visual separation. Furthermore, the reduced visual impact of the glazing will mitigate against the overall increase in the footprint of the link building.

Access

7.7 A detailed access statement has been prepared by Hydrafusion due to the issues associated with providing off-street parking. The statement demonstrates that there are a number of on-street locations within the surrounding area that could accommodate the parking demand expected to arise from the development.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

8. CONCLUSION

8.1 This Planning, Design and Access Statement has been prepared by Pegasus Group in support of an application to change the use and extend an old Methodist Chapel to create 1no. new dwelling.

8.2 This statement has demonstrated that the principle of development is entirely acceptable in this residential location and will have no unacceptable impacts on the amenities of the nearest properties.

8.3 Furthermore, the statement has demonstrated that the location is sustainable and, alongside the dedicated access statement prepared by Hydrafusion, shows that the surrounding road network will be able to accommodate the parking demand required by the new dwelling.

8.4 Most importantly, the proposal will see an asset of heritage significance, which has fallen into a severe state of disrepair, refurbished and re-occupied as a residential dwelling, securing its long-term maintenance in the process. This will improve the overall aesthetic of the building and, by extension, the character and appearance of the surrounding Conservation Area and North Wessex Downs AONB.

8.5 This Statement has demonstrated that the proposed development is compliant with both the NPPF and local planning policy and it is therefore considered that planning permission should be granted.

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York Associates Methodist Chapel, St Mary Bourne, Andover, SP11 6EL Planning, Design and Access Statement

APPENDIX 1

PHOTOSHEET

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PHOTO 1

PHOTO 2

METHODIST CHAPEL, ST MARY BOURNE, ANDOVER, SP11 6EL – PHOTOSHEET PEGASUSGROUP.CO.UK | FEBRUARY 2018 | P16-1353 | YORK ASSOCIATES PHOTO 3

PHOTO 4

METHODIST CHAPEL, ST MARY BOURNE, ANDOVER, SP11 6EL – PHOTOSHEET PEGASUSGROUP.CO.UK | FEBRUARY 2018 | P16-1353 | YORK ASSOCIATES PHOTO 5

PHOTO 6

METHODIST CHAPEL, ST MARY BOURNE, ANDOVER, SP11 6EL – PHOTOSHEET PEGASUSGROUP.CO.UK | FEBRUARY 2018 | P16-1353 | YORK ASSOCIATES PHOTO 7

PHOTO 8

METHODIST CHAPEL, ST MARY BOURNE, ANDOVER, SP11 6EL – PHOTOSHEET PEGASUSGROUP.CO.UK | FEBRUARY 2018 | P16-1353 | YORK ASSOCIATES PHOTO 9

PHOTO 10

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