Plans for 3x 1-bedroom flats above a popular Ryde curry house could cause a ‘high degree of harm’ to a historic building’s special architectural significance, a heritage group has warned.
Applicant S Miah’s proposed conversion of the first and second floors of 45 Union Street in Ryde, a 3-storey Grade II listed property currently home to Ryde Tandoori, is facing objections from the Georgian Group and the Council for British Archaeology.
A third conservation body, Historic Buildings and Places, also voiced disquiet over the bid.
The proposed apartments, classed as ‘market housing’, would each have an open plan kitchen dining and living area, bathroom and single double bedroom, according to Mr Miah’s application form and his agent, Dean Parkman architecture.
A submitted statement from the architectural designer says:
“This is a highly sustainable location and the proposed development will result in greater utilisation of excessive restaurant and staffroom facilities space.
“The existing ground floor commercial use will remain without any modifications/change to the historic principal façade.
“The proposed development will provide an acceptable residential environment for the prospective occupiers without causing any unacceptable impact on the neighbouring uses.
Article continues below this advertisement “The development is entirely in character and keeping with its town centre location where residential accommodation above the adjoining and adjacent commercial properties is a predominant feature.”
The Georgian Group said:
“The Group strongly objects to the total and irreversible loss of the staircases to the front of the building.
“It could reasonably be assumed that the staircases in question may be original to the building or an important part of the historic phasing.
“They must therefore be considered of high potential significance both in terms of intrinsic value as probable historic fabric, and in strong evidential value, providing legibility of the building’s historic planform, spatial hierarchy, access patterns and possibly evolution.
“We consequently must advise that the demolition of the staircases has the potential to cause a high degree of harm to the building’s special architectural significance as a good example of Regency mercantile property(ies).”
The Council for British Archaeology (CBA) said:
“The CBA are broadly supportive of the principle of the use of upper storeys above commercial premises as domestic flats; this is likely to have been their historic purpose and helps to contribute to the economic and social vitality of town centres.
“However, we are concerned that the current scheme represents over-development of the historic building, and the proposed alterations to the internal plan form will be harmful to the building’s historic character.”
Historic Buildings and Places said:
“In buildings that have been altered, stairs are often one of the key remaining features of significance and should not be removed unless strong justification can be provided.
“A larger, multi-level apartment utilising the existing stairs would be more appropriate and less harmful to the heritage significance than that proposed.”
County Hall’s public consultation on application 25/01204/LBC ended on 26th September and an agreed extended decision date has been scheduled for 27th November.
Why anybody would want to live above an establishment that creates such a smell 7 days a week is beyond me. Imagine your whole living space smelling of Indian food 24/7.
have a think again about that darren -the answer will come quite quickly if you consider it.
I’m all for conservation but really! Is a staircase more important than a home for someone.
It’s already been ruined with a food outlet facade
Unbelievable
Much as I love curry, it wouldn’t be pleasant to have it lingering in your living quarters 24/7. If you managed to cope with that you have the noise of the high street – customers in cafés restaurants & bars plus early morning deliveries & traffic
why does anybody else have any say in what an owner does with his own property. I can understand the exterior being listed but who’s going to see the flipping stairs.
Am I missing something