Planners give go-ahead for improvements at two historic Derbyshire buildings
Planners have given the go-ahead for work at two historic Buxton buildings including new roofing at the Opera House and hygiene upgrades at the Natural Mineral Baths.
High Peak Borough Council's development committee granted Listed Building Consent for the projects subject to conditions at a meeting on August 10, at The Palace Hotel, in Buxton.
The council identified benefits in plans by the authority, which owns the freehold title for Buxton Opera House, to renovate this building and to prevent water damage.
Ben Haywood, Head of Development Services at the council, said: "It's considered the works are essential for the longevity of the building to allow it to continue in its optimum use as a theatre and enable the reinstatement of the lantern."
A council report stated works will sustain the historic fabric of the building and the wider Conservation Area and preserve the setting of the nearby park and garden.
Buxton Opera House was designed by Frank Matcham and constructed between 1901 and 1903 and was restored in 1979. It is a Grade II listed building within the Grade II Registered Historic Pavilion Park and Garden and the Buxton Central Conservation Area.
The project will involve retaining or replacing the flat, asphalt roof and work on the building's roof upstands for the future reinstatement of louvered ventilation and to show the original lantern.
A council spokesperson added: "The development would help to safeguard the building for generations to come and as such is judged to provide a notable public benefit."
The council's Conservation Officer and Buxton Civic Association raised no objections and Historic England supports the project.
The committee voted in favour of approving the works with insulation, waterproofing and alterations to support the return of original design features.
It also approved Listed Building Consent for applicant Nestle Waters UK Ltd to alter and extend the hygiene room system, at the Natural Mineral Baths, at The Crescent, subject to conditions.
This application relates to the Grade II Listed baths associated with the Grade I Listed building The Crescent which is a hotel and the site is of significance because the council is the landowner.
These works involve new hygiene surfaces in rooms, corridors and service areas including new hygiene doors and frames, ground work, new floor drainage and vision panels to ensure historic tiled walls are preserved and can continue to be viewed.
Mr Haywood said this building forms a bath and an area with a water source and a collection tank from where Nestle Water can collect mineral water before it is piped to Waterswallows and bottled.
He added the work aims to upgrade equipment at the end of its life to meet hygiene and health and safety requirements while ensuring the building's historic features are maintained where possible.
The committee approved the works for the baths after considering officers' recommendations that they represent a sustainable development with significant public benefits outweighing any harm to the historic significance of the building.