A transformative development bringing the first five star hotel and sky bar to Salisbury is going ahead after being approved by council planners.

Ken Parke Planning Consultants (KPPC), working with project partners, obtained full planning permission for the £10m regeneration of the iconic Grade II Listed Cathedral Hotel in the city centre.

The visionary scheme includes 13 rooms, an al-fresco restaurant, courtyard, rooftop sky bar with a Spitfire theme and the recreation of a historic façade on the city’s Milford Street.

Wiltshire Council’s southern area planning committee approved the application for extensions and internal and external alterations with conditions, along with Listed Building Consent despite a recommendation for refusal from council officers.

It has become the first development to successfully navigate Salisbury’s strongly defended Skyline Policy (CP22) which limits new development over 40 (12.2m) feet high.

Adam Bennett, Planning Director at Bournemouth-based KPPC, is representing site owner Brian Currie and Fordingbridge-based developer Larasian during the planning process.

He said: “The development will be transformative for Salisbury city centre, bringing forwards the city’s first five star hotel and the city’s first sky bar.

“It will not only bring back into use a vacant and run-down Grade II listed building but deliver for local people and visitors to Salisbury alike the chance to see and experience this historic city in an entirely new way, from a roof top perspective and better reveal its numerous heritage assets, as well as the city’s Conservation Area itself.”

The hotel has been vacant since 2022. Its Spitfire Sky Bar was inspired by owner Mr Currie’s parents who met making components for the fighter at a secret factory in Salisbury during the Second World War.  It’s a tribute to all those men and women who worked on the ‘secret Spitfires’ for the war effort.

Its 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.

Mr Currie, owner and Larasian Director,  said: “This city of Salisbury and this exciting project are close to my heart so I am delighted that we can move ahead.

“The hotel will be a unique destination which will make a major contribution to the tourism sector and the economic future of the city.

“My thanks go to all who showed such strong support for  the project, especially within the local community and businesses.”

The scheme received overwhelming support at a Public Consultation Event. It has also been backed by 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 and Salisbury City Council.

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.

Adam highlighted 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.

He successfully demonstrated that that application addressed the Exceptional Circumstances Test in full, in that the development:

• Does not result in the building exceeding the 40ft rule, it already exceeds it at 53ft and will be 3ft lower under the new plans as the bar will replace a prominent and unsightly timber clad plant room.
• Will not harm designated or undesignated heritage assets, including Salisbury Conservation Area and the cathedral.
• Would have no demonstrable harm on the roofscape of the city and/or views of the cathedral.
• Represents a unique opportunity for premium, five-star hotel accommodation that is vital for the long-term economic viability of the city.
• Maximises the opportunity presented by the roof of the Cathedral Hotel with a carefully designed bar that will provide locals and visitors with the opportunity to see Salisbury in an entirely new way.

Adam said: “We were able to extol the virtues of this unique and transformative development to committee members and overturn the recommendation, with an almost unanimous decision to approve the planning and listed building consents.

“It represents the first development that has successfully navigated Salisbury’s strongly defended Skyline Policy (CP22) to deliver development above the 40-foot rule.
“This project emphasises 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 a project. Congratulations to the whole project team on fantastic work and collaboration.”

The hotel is due to open at Easter 2027.

Project partners included: 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)