Basement flat plans at Grade II-listed Holbeach building refused due to lack of natural light

Plans to transform the basement of a Grade II-listed building into a flat have been refused.

Applicant N. Marshall had hoped to make the alterations to a property at Holbeach’s West End.

However, planners at South Holland District Council decided the project would be ‘unacceptable due to the lack of natural light provision’, despite Holbeach Parish Council backing the request.

“Only one window is proposed for the flat,” the planning officer’s report said.

“This window is located at the front of the building and the outlook from this window is mostly blocked due to its position at the basement level.

“No other windows would be available and as such, most of the living space would not have sufficient natural light or natural ventilation.

“Furthermore, the proposed bedroom would have no windows. It is therefore unlikely that there would be sufficient natural light within the flat, and there also would not be a decent outlook for future occupants.

“This would result in a poor standard of living. Due to the site's location within a basement, there is no scope to provide additional windows.”

Outlining the plans, the report added: “The site comprises a Grade II-listed building which is located within Holbeach Conservation Area.

“The building features four floors including the basement.

“The rest of the building appears to be in residential use as the planning history for the site indicates that the site has previously been granted consent to form six bedsit flats.”

During consultation Lincolnshire County Council’s Historic Environment stated the proposed conversion would ‘have a significant impact on any surviving original elements of the listed building’, recommending that, if permission was granted, there should be a condition for a mitigation.