Plan to turn historic former hotel into new homes
A former hotel, which is a listed building, in an Essex town is set to be converted into three homes. Plans have been unveiled for conversion, part demolitions, part extension and alterations to the former Saffron Hotel, in High Street, Saffron Walden, into the new homes.
The business ran at the site for more than 80 years but it shut down two years ago after battling a number of issues including; lack of onsite car parking, the noisy location close to the busy road, lack of custom using the restaurant and bar, and location, with more attractive alternatives throughout in the town centre absorbing potential customers. The site is Grade II listed.
The proposal is to reinstate the former three properties, creating three individual houses. As part of the development a number of alterations will include; the removal of the yard and conservatory added in 1991, and its replacement with a smaller single-storey more appropriately designed extension, providing space at ground floor level for external amenity, car parking and turning.
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If agreed it would also see the re-purposing of the former flat-roofed rear function room to create parking, and external amenity space at the first-floor level, removal of the external decking added in 2014, and the creation of stores, recycling areas and parking. The plans include providing four off-road car parking spaces, accessed via the existing vehicular access to the site between No 10 and 12.
The planning heritage design and access statement for the plans says: “The proposed changes are designed to be non-harmful to the heritage assets. Any proposed refurbishment work undertaken will be subject to detailed approval and will be essential to the long-term health and longevity of the historic assets. It is considered that the proposals will help to ensure the sustainable future of the building and will contribute to the quality of life of existing and future generations and should be supported.
“The proposed change will; ensure the long-term future and survival of the historic assets, without detriment to them or their setting and provide three new dwellings to the location, close to the town facilities in a sustainable location.”