9 REDWOOD HEIGHTS. STANDEN PARK. LANCASTER . LA1 3FG

Tel. 01524 380180 Fax. 0870 7065 835 www.allanassociates.net email. [email protected]

Development Management South Lakeland District Council South Lakeland House Lowther Street LA9 4UF

Our Ref: MI0032-002-01 Your Ref:

15 July 2014 Dear Sirs,

Planning Statement 2 Stricklandgate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4ND

Introduction

1. This document is submitted in support of the planning application on behalf of the Furness for the change of use from Class A1 Retail to Class A2 Professional and in accordance with the Town and Country (Use Classes) Order 1987.

2. The application has been made online in accordance with Allan Associates and the Furness Building Societies green policies.

3. The following supporting documents are also attached to the planning application: -

(i) A location plan. (ii) A site plan comprising of the ground floor layout. (iii) The letting agents details for the subject property including a Goad Plan showing the location of the property. (iv) A letter dated 16 July 2014 from Furness Building Society confirming that they comply with the requirements of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment and Consequential Provisions) () Order 2014.

The Furness Building Societies Requirement

1. The Furness Building Society is a mutual building society and their head office is based in Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria. They currently have eleven branches throughout the North West of England but surprisingly do not have a branch in Kendal town centre. They have been seeking a suitable location in the town for a while and have secured an agreement for lease on the subject property subject to planning approval for change of use.

2. The Furness Building Society intends to trade in the town for many years and provides a useful service to the community.

Director: Andrew J. Allan BSC MRICS IRRV (Hons). Allan Associates Chtd. Surveyors Limited. Registered in England and Wales. Company No. 4472669.

The Proposed Premises

3. After extensive research of the available properties in the town centre, the subject property was found to both be in a suitable position and have the required physical attributes for the Furness Building Society, however, a larger retailing area would have been preferred. It is also within the economic rental range for the business. Although there are a few other available properties in the town centre, they don’t meet the physical and economic criteria of the Furness Building Society.

4. The property comprises a lock-up shop on ground floor situated at the junction of Highgate, Stricklandgate and Finkle Street. There are entrances to yards on either side of the property. The property is situated in between Bodycare and Kendal Goldsmiths in a pedestrianised retail parade.

5. The subject property is currently occupied by a card retailer that intend to vacate.

The Immediate Area

6. Highgate is struggling as a retailing parade and various properties are currently in the market to lease. The main demand for retail accommodation appears to be along Stricklandgate and the surrounding area. The subject property is situated at the intersection of Highgate with Stricklandgate and is approximately where the prime shopping area commences.

The Proposed Offer by Furness Building Society

7. As part of the proposal the property would undergo a complete refurbishment in the Furness Building Societies corporate style. This will create a new, bright and pleasant environment for customers and will be a significant improvement on the existing shop fit.

8. The Furness Building Society intends to retain the glazed display frontage and use this facility to attract customers into the property. The property would therefore trade and be visually similar to retailers in the area.

9. The Furness Building Society is committed to the requirements of the Disabled Discrimination Act (1995), and the proposed property will allow disabled access via the entrance and the retail area.

10. The intension is currently to employ a minimum of 2 full time and 1 part time staff at the premises.

11. The Furness Building Society has agreed to enter a new 10 year lease with the landlord, and intends to trade in Kendal town centre beyond this period if the business is successful. The Furness Building Society intends to commit to supporting the vitality and viability of Kendal town centre.

12. The landlord clearly supports the application for change of use.

Planning Policy

13. As the Local Planning Authority you are clearly aware of the National and Regional Planning Policy and Guidance and I do not intend to repeat the documentation in this statement.

14. The South Lakeland Local Development framework Core Strategy Policy CS7.5 provides that support will be given to maintaining and enhancing the vitality and viability of Kendal town centre as a large town centre that serves the District and beyond.

15. Clearly the addition of Furness Building Society as a popular deposit-taker and mortgage provider will enhance the vitality and viability of the towns retailing offer.

16. The South Lakeland Local Plan – Land Allocations DPD provides that the property is situated within the Town Centre Boundary and has a Primary Retail Frontage.

17. The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment and Consequential Provisions) (England) Order 2014 has amended the permitted development rights for change of use. Section 5(3) provides permitted development for the change of use of a building to use as a deposit-taker falling within Class A2 financial and professional services of the Schedule of the Use Classes Order, from a use falling within Class A1 of that Schedule.

18. Furness Building Society fulfills the criteria as a qualifying deposit-taker and therefore the change of use is permitted development. However, Furness Building Society wants to be absolutely sure given the level of investment and require formal confirmation the change of use is lawful.

Conclusion

19. Occupation by the Furness Building Society would demonstrate a commitment to the area. The planned refurbishment will improve the property and the building society will perform a useful role in the area, enhancing the vitality and viability of the town centre.

20. Furness Building Society has permitted development rights for change of use to A2 Professional and Financial Services but require the surety of formal planning consent before completion of the lease and refurbishment of the property.

21. I therefore respectfully request you to grant planning permission for change of use on the subject property to A2 Professional and Financial Services.

22. I would be pleased if you could communicate by email including your decision.

Yours faithfully,

Andrew J Allan BSc MRICS IRRV (Hons) Director ALLAN ASSOCIATES

Enc.