New bed and breakfast rooms planned for rural Sheffield Green site

Proposals to convert part of a popular rural shopping outlet into bed and breakfast rooms are set to go before Wealden planners next week.

At a virtual meeting on Thursday (May 14), Wealden District Council’s planning committee north is to consider proposals related to Trading Boundaries – an antiques showroom based within a grade II listed former Georgian coaching inn in Sheffield Green, near Fletching.

The proposals, which involve the conversion of a former dairy and two buildings currently used as small shops, would see the creation of a total of 15 “boutique” bed and breakfast rooms at the site. 

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In a statement submitted as part of the application, a spokesman for the developer said: “The courtyard shops have been operating as small independent retail units since their completion in the early 2000s. 

“However, due to the current economic and retail conditions, the units are currently underused with high turnover of tenants and the viability of the units in the long term [is] not positive. 

“Our application seeks permission to convert the courtyard shop units and part of the existing dairy building into ‘boutique B&B’ rooms with accommodation to be offered to attendees of evening live music events, which are held regularly in the Elephant Cafe and continue to prove popular. 

“The proposal is prompted by the regular requests from attendees for overnight accommodation and the lack of facilities evident in the local area.”

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The full proposals would see extensive renovation works carried out to the dairy and both the courtyard buildings.

They also include the construction of a new single-storey building, which would effectively close off the courtyard by connecting the dairy to one of the courtyard buildings. This new building would contain three of the 15 B&B rooms.

One of the 15 B&B rooms would be for the use of a staff member.

The proposals (which are also supported by Fletching Parish Council) are recommended for approval by Wealden planning officers.

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In a report, which is to be considered by the committee, a council planning officer said: “The scheme has been subject to discussions and design revisions with the authority, and the amended plans succeed in providing a layout for a sustainable re-use of these units.

“The B&B accommodation use would also allow the public to appreciate the interest of the heritage asset [and] also support the restaurant/café and entertainment venue on the site.

“The proposals would result in less than substantial harm to the designated heritage asset, and this very moderate level harm is clearly outweighed by the repairs and mitigation within the scheme.

“Importantly, the application would deliver an optimum viable use to the buildings, with other related public benefits.”

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For further information see application reference WD/2019/2503/F on the Wealden District Council planning website.

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