KPPC successfully gained full planning permission for its client, Brian Currie and developer Larasian, to breathe new life into iconic Cathedral Hotel in Salisbury city centre.
Consent secured from Wiltshire Council for extensions and internal and external alterations with conditions, along with Listed Building Consent despite a recommendation for refusal from council officers.
Result will be stunning transformation of the grade-II listed property into a luxury boutique five star hotel with a sky bar – the first in Salisbury.
KPPC had to overcome considerable obstacles to secure planning consent – including a recommendation for refusal from council officers.
The scheme:
Regeneration of a historic hotel, empty since 2022. The visionary scheme includes:
- 13 luxury rooms
- Stylish al-fresco restaurant
- Open air courtyard
- rooftop sky bar with a Spitfire theme
- recreation of a historic façade on the city’s Milford Street.
The sky bar’s panoramic 360 degree views will take in Salisbury Cathedral, Old Sarum heritage site, local churches, Salisbury Arts Centre, The Guildhall and historic Chequers in the city centre.
Challenges:
The planning committee decision centred around the council’s Core Policy 22 (CP22), designed to protect Salisbury’s skyline and cityscape by dictating that new development should be restricted to a height that does not exceed 12.2m (40ft) above ground level.
KPPC was able to successfully show that CP22 is not a blanket policy which bars all new development which exceeds 40-feet but includes an Exceptional Circumstances Test that is set out specifically within the policy; allowing development which would result in no unacceptable harm and be of benefit to Salisbury City and its future growth.
Council officers recommended that planning committee refuse the scheme but elected members overturned the recommendation to approve the project near unanimously.
Support:
Careful and considered engagement and consultation with stakeholders gained strong support for Cathedral Hotel scheme. This included:
- Salisbury Civic Society
- Salisbury BID
- Salisbury Chamber of Commerce
- Wiltshire Council’s economic development officers
- Salisbury and South Wiltshire MP John Glen
- Salisbury Conservation Advisory Committee
- Salisbury City Council
Benefits:
Transformative development for Salisbury city centre, bringing back into use a vacant and run-down Grade II listed building to create city’s first five star hotel and the city’s first sky bar.
Deliver for local people and visitors to Salisbury alike the chance to see and experience historic city in an entirely new way, from a roof top perspective.
Unique destination which will make a major contribution to the tourism sector and the economic future of the city.
Conclusion:
Project emphasised the importance of proper preparation, careful and considerate design and strong advocacy through local public and political engagement to bring together local people and stakeholders groups behind project.
Partners:
Clarke Saunders Acoustics, Corstorphine and Wright Architects, Devcomms, Forum Heritage Services, ICHA Ltd, KPPC, Larasian, LC Ecological Services, Michael Grubb Studio, Paul Basham Associates, Ramboll, Solas Realta Fire Engineering, Sturt and Company, UBU Design, Wessex Archaeology.
Images: Corstorphine and Wright Architects
