Planning round-up: Works planned at historic Bisham Abbey

Here are the latest planning applications of significant for East Berks and South Bucks. This week, works are planned on Bisham abbey; a new shop is planned for Windsor; and a decision has been made on some Iver kennels that were built without the proper permissions.

Pending: Works are planned at Bisham Abbey which applicants say will help protect one of the region’s most important historic buildings.

The Grade I listed manor house, which also sits within a scheduled ancient monument, will see masonry and window repairs as part of the first phase of the project.

Bisham Abbey has a long and varied past. Built in 1260 as a community house for the Knights Templar, it went on to play a role in medieval and Tudor politics, hosting council meetings for Henry VIII and Elizabeth I.

After Henry’s divorce from Anne of Cleves it passed to the Hoby family, who kept it for more than 230 years, before later being owned by George Henry Vansittart in the 19th century.

Much of the Abbey’s medieval and Tudor fabric, including the 13th-century entrance porch and Great Hall, survives in what Historic England has called ‘remarkable preservation’.

Since 1946 it has been used as the National Sports Centre – the first of its kind in the UK – and is now run by Serco Leisure.

For these works, cement-based repairs that have caused damage will be removed, with decayed stone and handmade bricks replaced using traditional materials.

Flint panels will be reinstated where needed, and the Abbey’s windows will be carefully repaired, with worn mullions and other details renewed on a like-for-like basis.

Timber lintels that have rotted will be replaced with oak, and old, unnecessary fixings removed. Chimneys will be repointed, partly rebuilt and given cowls on disused flues.

The aim is to deal with natural decay and undo past repairs that used inappropriate cement, which has prevented the building from breathing and accelerated deterioration.

The works are hoped to help ensure the long-term survival of Bisham Abbey by restoring authenticity with traditional craft methods, improving its appearance by removing unsightly cement work, and safeguarding its role as the National Sports Centre.

Chimney and drainage repairs will address weaknesses and guard against leaks.

The Abbey’s architects, Martin Ashley, said the works are all ‘highly positive’.

25/02374

Pending: A new off-licence could open in Windsor.

Ravi Kumar has applied for a licence to sell alcohol at 20 Dedworth Road, trading as a convenience store.

The application seeks permission to sell alcohol for consumption off the premises from 8am to 10pm, seven days a week.

The deadline for comments is Monday, October 20.

107280 (licensing)

Approved: A dog kennel in Iver has averted having to tear down some of its kennels after building them without the correct permissions.

Revised plans for a dog training site on Iver’s greenbelt were sent to Buckinghamshire council in May, in hopes of retaining a chunk what was built there.

The proposal is for an area adjacent to the former substation on Thorney Lane South, which has a lawful use for dog training and is occupied by certified dog trainers, 5k-9 Working Dogs.

The service has supplied us rescue dogs for security and drug detection which went on to serve in police and prison services.

Parts of the development were previously subject to an enforcement notice – upheld on appeal.

May-submitted plans proposed the removal of several unauthorised elements and sought to retain a reduced number of structures including an indoor training area.

At the time of the enforcement appeal, the site’s footprint was 710sqm – 81 per cent larger than what was permitted by 2023 permissions.

One part of the hardstanding wasn’t lawful – that which sits beneath two sets of dog pens as well as the dog exercise area. These elements will be removed.

However, the applicant has been allowed to keep some of what’s there – about 40 per cent more than what was originally permitted.

PL/25/1161/FA (South Bucks planning portal)

Pending: A developer wants to demolish Wexham Park Hall in Stoke Poges and put in eight homes.

The 0.28-hectare site comprises an existing red brick building, built in about 1920.

It forms part of a wider courtyard setting with a large detached former barn known as Nuffy Nursery.

A heritage statement says the development will not result in harm to Nuffy Bear Day Nursery old barn.

The building is currently in use as a private medical clinic on the ground floor. Vacant office space is also available inside.

There are plans to put in four two-beds (four people) and two three-beds for five people.

The applications says that working with a specialist heritage consultant, this will be an ‘inspiring, high-quality scheme’ which ‘embraces the character of an unobstructed farmyard arrangement while preserving and enhancing the on-site pond setting."

PL/25/3310/FA 

Complete: Building work is complete for internal works at a children’s day nursery in Sunningdale. Internal ground floor alterations are complete at Coronation Memorial Institute in Church Road. 25/00853/IN

Commencing: Building work is starting on a new office fit-out at Building 5 in Waltham Park (an office park) in Waltham Road, White Waltham. 25/01113/REV