Alterations, including upgrading and extending a historic cricket pavilion have been opposed by Historic England, forcing a final decision to be made by central government.

The planning application from Uppingham School concerning its First XI Cricket Pavilion on the Upper Playing Field on Glaston Road comes before Rutland councillors next week.

The county council planning committee will consider the application next Tuesday due to the objection from Historic England on the basis that the proposals will cause "substantial harm".

But a report prepared for the meeting says officers consider that the impact will be "less than substantial and when balanced against the public benefits, can be recommended for approval on the basis that it preserves or enhances the setting of the building and the conservation area and thereby satisfies national and local policies."

Therefore, they recommend approval, subject to referral to the Secretary of State if approved.

A council report says the site is located on the playing field between Seaton Road and Glaston Road in Uppingham. It has been used as a cricket facility by Uppingham School for many years.

The cricket pavilion is dated 1923, built in the Arts and Crafts style and was recently listed, Grade II, as being of special architectural or historic interest.

The site is used not only by Uppingham School but also by a private club and Leicestershire County Cricket Club Academy.

advertisement

The report says the pavilion has become outdated and is not fit for purpose for the provision of co-educational cricket and for the use by Leicestershire County Cricket Club Academy.

Alterations to existing changing rooms, kitchen and toilets would also be undertaken to make that part of the original building fit for purpose.

However, Historic England says the proposed alterations and extension of the building would cause substantial harm to the significance of the listed building, in particular the "extremely deleterious impact" upon the form and fabric of the south-eastern principal elevation.

"We do not consider that the public benefits would outweigh the substantial harm caused."

It has proposed meeting with the school to consider alternative plans to minimise or avoid harm to a designated heritage asset.

The council report concluded: "This is clearly a finely balanced proposal in terms of how it impacts on the listed building.

"The concerns of Historic England are recognised but the applicant has done a considerable amount of options appraisal. The proposal will not be visible from the street in front of the building, unlike side extensions suggested by Historic England.

"It will preserve the building in terms of securing its long term future in its original use, all of which is in addition to the public benefits which it will bring to the area in terms of access to cricket and potential trade for local businesses when County games are played. On that basis it is recommended for approval."

advertisement

The report added: "If members resolve to approve the application it will need to be referred to the Secretary of State in the light of Historic England's concerns."