Permission secured for the Grade II Listed building in Bristol to be used for office space
Client
Lancer Scott
Project Overview
Bell Cornwell has recently obtained planning permission for 1000 sq. m of prime office floor space at Electricity House in Bristol.
Electricity House is an imposing and prominent seven-storey, Grade II Listed building in the city centre. The building falls within the ‘Nelson Street Regeneration Area’ (which is subject to its own SPD) and within a Conservation Area. The ground floor unit, which is in the ownership of our client, has been vacant for nearly 3 years as the approved uses within this part of the building are not commercially viable.
The continued vacancy of this part of the building in such a vibrant and busy location clearly detracts from this part of the city. Bell Cornwell were therefore asked to help devise a planning strategy that would allow the ground floor unit to be put to a viable B1(a) office use that will enable the client to secure premium rents in this city-centre location.
The LPA had previously taken the view that an office use would be undesirable because it would not assist with the long term regeneration of this part of the City. However, Bell Cornwell were able to build a policy-compliant argument which demonstrated office use is entirely appropriate in this location, and with the assistance of detailed marketing evidence, it was demonstrated that there were significant benefits in bringing this vacant listed building back into a beneficial use.
Bell Cornwell devised the planning strategy, drafted and submitted the associated planning application, and managed the application on behalf of the client up to its positive determination, having helped secure a planning permission which meets the client’s objectives of delivering B1(a) office use which can operate without restriction, either as a series of individual units or as one single office space.
