A retrospective planning application for listed building consent for a Grade II listed town hall has been recommended for approval despite strong objections from community groups.
Members of North Herts District Council’s planning control committee will discuss a planning application for the restoration of Hitchin Town Hall next week after work was carried out on the Brand Street building without permission.
The application, which has been submitted by Butress, the company appointed by NHDC as the project’s architects, asks members to grant the permission after pipework which was installed in the ceiling of the foyer has not had the necessary approval from English Heritage, deeming it a ‘criminal offence’ according to the English Heritage website.
Hitchin Town Hall Limited, Hitchin Forum, Keep Hitchin Special, The Hitchin Historical Society, The Hitchin Society have all raised strong objections.
In a report prepared ahead of the meeting Hitchin Historical Society has called for all work associated with the application to be reversed, damage caused made good and more suitable methods of agreed by all parties
The meeting will be held on Thursday at 7.30pm.
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