A popular bargain shop in Whitby has revised its town centre expansion plans following concerns from local groups and council planners regarding the potential negative impact on the local conservation area.
A bargain shop in Whitby has revised its expansion plans in the town after a series of objections from local groups and council planners.
The Yorkshire Trading Company has amended the planned expansion of its Whitby town centre site after concerns about significant harm were raised by the council.
The popular business – which has traded in the town for about three decades – occupies an existing shop in the old Post Office at 22 Baxtergate and could extend its ground-floor retail operation into 21 Baxtergate, which was previously occupied by Barclays Bank.
However, concerns have been raised about negative impacts on the conservation area if the proposal, which includes the creation of eight new apartments, goes ahead.
The company has now revised its plans while continuing to challenge claims the development would harm the town’s conservation area.
Whitby Civic Society said it welcomed the proposed creation of flats and the use of the former bank as retail space, but added that the “plans as submitted would cause significant harm to the character and appearance of this part of the conservation area as viewed from New Quay Road”.
“Of great concern to the society is the design proposals for the new three-storey building fronting New Quay Road. No attempt has been made to provide a shop front with any character or quality.”
It added:
“Whilst the society supports the proposed uses, we object to the application on design grounds and the likely negative impact upon the conservation area.”
The latest submission retains more historic features than originally proposed, including the existing rear bay window, and reduces the number of Juliet balconies after concerns were raised by North Yorkshire Council’s conservation officer.
Yorkshire Trading Company said that to be successful, it needs sufficient space to merchandise a wide range of products and to provide a “traditional store shopping experience”.
“The investment is simply not viable without adequate space being achieved,” it noted.
Whitby Town Council and North Yorkshire Council’s conservation officer also objected to the plans. The latter had said that while the Baxtergate elevations would remain unchanged, the proposals involve “significant changes to the rear of both buildings”.
The officer added that the modern “marina-style” design approach would “erode the historic character and architectural integrity of the rear elevations and would have a significant negative impact on the conservation area”.
The scheme has been revised with fewer alterations to “retain the current appearance”, submitted plans state.
They added:
“Amended plans have been produced which demonstrate this and seek just one Juliette balcony on the rear of 22 Baxtergate, which would not be visible behind the proposed extension.”
North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the scheme which is open to representations from members of the public.
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