Concerns over plans to refurbish Chesterfield office block next to historic building

Chesterfield Borough Council has granted conditional planning permission for technology company CCS Media to refurbish its offices on Derby Road, Birdholme.

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However, Chesterfield Civic Society fears the cladding on the office block will ‘detract attention’ from the adjoining Grade II-listed Birdholme House, which dates from around 1660.

Philip Riden, the society’s chair, said: “We feel that every effort should be made to tone down the impact of the modern building so that passers-by look more at the older house.

“We would like to see a different approach, which could be as simple as applying stone-coloured masonry paint to the modern brickwork and using attractive climbing plants to hide the harsh lines of the block.”

CCS Media did not wish to respond to the society’s concerns when contacted by the Derbyshire Times.

However, a planning statement submitted to the council on behalf of CCS Media stated: “All proposed works have been carefully considered and sensitively designed to complement the existing listed building.”

Granting conditional planning permission, a council officer said: “I consider that the proposal will not result in the loss of any architectural significance or change the appearance of the Grade II-listed building.”

The officer suggested that ‘sample panels’ should be provided to the council so they can be considered and agreed before they are installed.

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