An architectural firm has submitted a planning application that would see alterations made to part of a grade II listed building.

McCormick and Smith Architects, an award-winning firm based in Charlbury, has submitted an application to demolish a 20th century extension attached to the grade II listed Laurel House building in Deddington, Banbury.

The application seeks to gain permission to build a new extension, with a spiral stair added between the basement and the ground floor.

Additionally, the proposed changes would also see raised paved areas in the courtyard removed, the curved head window reinstated as a door, the existing glass between stair and basement changed to fire glass and the addition of a new fire door at ground level to make a protected route.

A boundary wall door would be added for fire escape and disabled access, along with thermal retrofit insulation and repairs and refurbishment works.

New bathroom fittings would also be installed in previous bathroom space on the first floor, and a new ensuite would be built on the second floor.

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The Heritage Impact Assessment written by the architectural firm states: “The flat roof of this extension leaks and has started to cause rot.

“The windows are single glazed, the walls are cavity with no insulation and the level of the extension in 180mm higher than the rest of the house.

“The extension is contained within the courtyard and cannot be seen from the public realm, so its removal will not change the appearance of the building from the road.

“Although taking down any part of a listed building will cause change, the overall result will not be detrimental and could be seen as an improvement.”

Laurel House was an antique showroom, until 2016 when an application was successfully made to convert it into a three-bedroom family home.

The current owner bought the house in February of this year for £550,000.

In 1998, Cherwell District Council decided the village of Deddington formed an area of special architectural and historic interest which should be preserved and enhanced.

The council therefore designated a large portion of the village as a Conservation Area under section 69 of the Planning Act 1990.

Which meant that from then on the council committed to exercising particular care to ensure that change, when it occurs, will preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the area.

It also means that Cherwell District Council require planning applications in the Conservation Area to be accompanied by sufficient detail to enable the impact of the proposed development on the character or appearance of the Conservation Area to be assessed.

 

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This story was written by Matthew Norman, he joined the team in 2022 as a Facebook community reporter.

Matthew covers Bicester and focuses on finding stories from diverse communities.

Get in touch with him by emailing: Matthew.norman@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @OxMailMattN1

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