Nash Partnership has secured planning permission and listed building consent for a mixed-use development in the centre of Bradford on Avon, on behalf of our client The Trevor Osborne Property Group. The site is at Manvers House, a listed building with attached annexe and modern office block, adjacent to our award-winning Kingston Mills regeneration project in the centre of the town.
The permission is for renovation and conversion of the listed Manvers House and its annexe, to create two new town centre homes, and development of the attached office block through construction of an additional mansard storey to expand the town’s modern business accommodation offer.
The permission was achieved through working closely with our client and with local planning authority Wiltshire Council, to address the principal planning and design issues of converting existing employment space to residential use and ensuring an appropriate relationship to adjacent properties. The latter resulted in an initial planning committee deferral for a site visit, and through addressing the points raised by the committee, a subsequent decision to approve the planning and listed building consent applications.
Partner Robert Locke undertook the architectural and conservation work on the project. He comments: “The addition of the mansard floor to the modern block significantly enhances the street scene in this part of Bradford on Avon Conservation Area and our detailed analysis of the urban context ensures an appropriate relationship to neighbours. Conversion and restoration of the principal listed building at Manvers House, including removal of previous unsympathetic interventions, will contribute to the substantial heritage benefits of the development.”
The project is a statement of confidence in the future of this distinctive market town and Mel Clinton, Planning and Regeneration Director at Nash Partnership, comments: “The Trevor Osborne Property Group has taken an enlightened approach, making the best use of the site’s assets and the opportunities for it to contribute more to the future of Bradford on Avon. The additional workspace reflects modern business requirements whilst the conversion of the historic buildings will enhance and secure these elements of local heritage, as part of a sustainable, mixed-use town centre development.”
It is expected that the project will be underway in the near future, to provide a welcome sign of continuing investment in the town during these challenging times.
