‘Too precious’ jibe as Cromer listed building changes are agreed

Posted on by Listify Me



Exton House on the Gangway in Cromer (with scaffolding), which will be altered after a planning decision.

Steve Downes
Thursday, May 26, 2011
4:34 PM

Conservation groups were labelled “too precious” as councillors ignored objections and gave permission for changes to a listed building in a picturesque part of Cromer.

Members of North Norfolk District Council’s development committee were advised to turn down the bid by Richard Price to restore the run-down 18th century Exton House on the Gangway.

Mr Price, a member of the council, wanted to put a jib door at the front, build a new extension at the back, move a door at the side of the house, put in roof lights and rebuild the staircase to enable safe access to the third floor.

It was a variation on a previous application for the same building, which was rejected by the committee in March this year.

Officers again recommended refusal, on the basis that the plans would result in a loss of historic fabric of a listed building.

They were backed by Andrew Boyce, secretary of Cromer Preservation Society, who said: “One of the purposes of listing is to protect buildings from changes that are inappropriate to its historic character.

“The society considers several of the proposed changes would be detrimental. While we recognise that renovation works are proposed and we welcome them, overall these proposals would be harmful to the significance of the building.”

The committee then heard from Mr Price, who said it would eventually be his “permanent home”, and added: “I believe I have a basic human right to use of all of it, including the third floor.

“Exton House has suffered from its exposed position, shoddy repairs and a significant fire.”

Conservative councillor Benjie Cabbell Manners said: “This application has come on an enormous amount in the last four to five months,

“I think it has changed for the better. If you want listed houses to be used as houses they have to be fit for purpose. And the best way to preserve a building is to use it.

“We mustn’t make it so difficult to restore these buildings that they can’t be used.”

UKIP councillor Mike Baker said: “I think we are being far too precious about this whole issue. We have a member of the public who’s prepared to spend a considerable amount of money to maintain a listed building.”


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