Decision due on 'extensive' De La Warr Pavilion works

Next Thursday (October 9), Rother District Council’s planning committee is expected to consider a pair of applications tied to the De La Warr Pavilion, which seek planning permission and listed building consent for repair and refurbishment works.

A report to the committee says thes works, which would be carried out over several phases, would be expected to involve a “comprehensive refurbishment of the auditorium to enhance accessibility, flexibility and operational efficiency while retaining and enhancing its architectural character.”

There would also be the fitting of solar panels on the Grade I listed building’s roof; internal refurbishments; replacement of non-original windows and doors; and enhancements to the main entrance, which include new landscaping and accessibility features.

An existing single-storey extension to the south-west of the building would also be demolished and replaced with a new structure.

In a report to the committee, a council planning spokesman said: “The development proposals considered in this report are extensive, they are part of a major phased capital project with significant government and other funding to conserve De La Warr Pavilion (DLWP) and ensure its viability going forward.

“Conservation of the DLWP is considered to be at the heart of the proposals – great weight has been applied to the conservation of the building by the architect team in putting together the set of proposals, and the Local Planning Authority places great weight on the conservation of the building in the assessment of the applications.

“Special regard has been paid to the desirability of preserving the building and its setting and features of special architectural or historic interest.”

The report says the proposals — including changes to the building’s entrance — would result in some “less than substantial” heritage harms, but judge these to “comprehensively” outweighed by the scheme’s benefits.

Officers are recommending both applications be approved, subject to conditions.

The applications are set for consideration by the committee because Rother District Council is the landowner and joint-applicant alongside the De La Warr Pavilion Charitable Trust.

Neither of the applications have seen any objections.

The works are conditionally supported by Historic England, which says the works could “restore the building to its former glory and provide it with a long-term sustainable future”, as long as the project is “executed to a high standard”.

To achieve this, Historic England has recommended a number of conditions intended “to ensure high quality materials, detailing and finishes that where possible evoke the original style ethos.”

The Twentieth Century Society, an architectural preservation campaign organisation, said it is supportive of the overall proposals, which it described as being “sensitive and sorely needed”, but has also called on the council to fully explore whether the auditorium’s fixed balcony seating could be retained before granting listed building consent.