30 Meer Street submitted for planning

30 Meer Street is located within the Stratford-upon-Avon conservation area, zone E, which represents the medieval heart of the town.

For many years the existing building had been used as offices, most recently by Edwards Estate Agents. The developer client now seeks to adapt this building for use as residential units.

Prior to Unity Architects’ involvement, the developer client had already been refused planning permission for this scheme. Stratford-on-Avon District Council Development Control Department queried whether the proposal would provide adequate living conditions for future occupants, in relation to the environmental conditions posed by the adjacent commercial restaurants.

An appeal was lodged. The Planning Inspectorate dismissed the appeal upon the grounds that future occupiers could be impacted by the adverse environmental conditions created by the adjacent commercial kitchen exhaust systems and that the Applicant hadn’t presented enough information to prove this otherwise. This included potential noise and odour matters.

Since being appointed to the project, Unity Architects has worked with the developer client to establish a proposal that satisfies the developer’s business case for the site, in tandem with mitigating the potential noise and odour conditions presented by the neighbouring restaurants.

Walnut Acoustics performed a Noise Assessment in accordance with the relevant British Standards, which concluded that the indoor ambient noise levels in an open window scenario are satisfactory. The application of an improved glazing specification will mitigate maximum night-time noise levels and ensure there are acceptable levels of noise comfort in the closed window scenario.

A mechanically ventilated heat recovery system (MVHR) has also been proposed. This presents future occupants with greater flexibility and control with how the building is heated and ventilated. Predominantly, a mitigating measure for the potential odour issues at the rear of the site. The MVHR allows the building to draw in fresh air from the unpolluted façade and is not dependent on having windows in an open position, mitigating both acoustic and odour issues.

The Applicant has now demonstrated mitigating measures to allay all previous concerns regarding adjacent environmental acoustic and noise matters and we look forward to this application being well received by the LPA.