Heritage Impact Assessment – Listed Building Consent

Summary:  We secured Listed Building Consent for the refurbishment works to a Grade II listed property in Giles Street, Norwich, Norfolk. This will allow for the opening of a new steak restaurant in the premises.

Background: Nestled within the City Centre’s Conservation Area, St Giles Street is one of Norwich’s renowned medieval streets.  It was an important street during the period when the area was prosperous in the wool trade. Many of the occupants of the street in the 19^th century were from a medical background, with buildings used both as homes and surgeries. Many of the streets’ buildings were upgraded or rebuilt at this time.

This property is an excellent example of a late 18^th century town house. It’s been combined with another house, significantly extended, and modified in the 19^th and 20^th centuries. It is representative for this area and it retains an important shop front. The buildings presence in the street scene is important for both the aesthetics of the street scene and the understanding of the city’s historic form and function. It therefore makes positive contribution to the Conservation Area.

Our Advice: Our Heritage Consultants provided a Heritage Impact Assessment (HIA), this assessed the significance of relevant heritage assets and any potential effect of the proposed development on this significance. While there are numerous listed buildings adjacent and opposite the site, it is considered that the proposal would have a neutral effect on these due to the nature of the works proposed (which are primarily internal). The HIA highlighted a remaining sole historic feature being a window which has been retained in an internal wall. The feature is of moderate significance as it helps understand the narrative of the building. It was noted that this internal window should therefore be retained, particularly as there are no other features within the building.

It was concluded that the overall benefits of this proposal included:

• Important historic features will be retained
• Securing the best viable use of a heritage asset in support of its long-term conservation
• The building will be in commercial use again, allowing public appreciation of the internal window and shop front
• Enhancement to the Norwich City Centre Conservation Area.