Photo Credit: Koda Architects / Oakfield Design + Creation
Plans to redevelop a Hereford eyesore have been submitted to Herefordshire Council, with work already taking place on site.
The application submitted to Herefordshire Council for St Nicholas House in Hereford is for the ‘recladding envelope of existing building including new means of escape. New roof extension and boundary treatment.’
The building has been used as a job centre in the past, as well as offices. The plans for the building reveal that it will continue to be used as Business Class E.
Business Class E is a broad category of commercial, business and service uses. It was introduced by the Business and Planning Act 2020.
Class E effectively amalgamates the former Class A1 (retail), Class A2 (financial and professional services), A3 (restaurants/cafes), B1 (offices) along with health/medical uses, creches, nurseries (all formerly D1 uses) and indoor sports/recreation (formerly D2 use). Permission is not required to change between any of the uses within Class E.
The only retail uses not included in Class E are small shops under 280 square metres, selling ‘essential’ goods and not located within 1km of other similar shops. These shops are in Class F2.
St Nicholas House has been empty for the past seven years, and is a notable eyesore. The building was recently sold to a local developer by Sunderlands, with plans to bring the building back to life, and significant improve the visual side of the building.
The owners say that by improving the visual look of the building and bringing it back into use, it will create jobs locally, and the expansion will help facilitate future job creation.
Koda Architects have been appointed to develop and enhance the visual appearance of the building. Documents shared state that the applicants company are expanding and require additional space.
