Extension plan for nursing home on Staffordshire/Shropshire border is thrown out over heritage harm

The owners of a nursing home on the Staffordshire/Shropshire border have been refused permission for a new extension due to the harm it would cause.

Jane Seymour and Quentin Cordeux submitted an application for a single-storey extension at Cheswardine Hall Lodge in Chipnall, between Eccleshall and Market Drayton.

This would have resulted in the demolition of a lobby, kitchen and WC/utility room.

A report submitted to Shropshire Council by Listed Building Surveys Ltd said the lodge is “most appropriately understood as a building associated with the wider historic estate landscape and setting of the hall, rather than as a curtilage-listed structure”.

However, planning officer Alison Lloyd said it is considered to form part of a designated heritage asset as a curtilage-listed structure. Therefore, she said, the proposed development would result in harm to the “significance” of the lodge.

"Furthermore, the application is not supported by a proportionate heritage impact assessment or heritage statement to describe the significance of the heritage assets affected, including the contribution made by their setting, or to assess the impact of the proposed development," said Ms Lloyd.

"In the absence of such information, the local planning authority has been unable to properly assess the effect of the development on the significance of the heritage assets, contrary to national and local policy requirements.

"The identified harm is assessed as less than substantial harm for the purposes of national planning policy. However, no clear and convincing justification has been provided and no public benefits have been demonstrated that would outweigh the harm.

"In reaching this conclusion, the local planning authority has given considerable importance and weight to the desirability of preserving listed buildings and their settings, as required by statute."