What planning permissions are in place?

There is a 'Permitted Development' consent to convert the building into residential apartments. Permitted development rights are a national grant of planning permission which allow certain building works and changes of use to be carried out without having to make a planning application. Instead, applicants submit a Prior Notification to the council. Permitted development rights are subject to conditions and limitations to control impacts and to protect local amenity.A condition of this consent is that the development must be completed by the end of May 2023 and Stroud District Council will need to take a view at that time on whether the works to convert the building are sufficiently complete, and if not, what action may be appropriate.

A separate planning application has also been received (February 2023) for new windows and entrance to the building, as well as a structure to house bats. This is because bats are present in the building and they are a protected species. This new application is currently out for public consultation and is in addition to the main ‘Permitted Development’ consent mentioned above.