Planning permission for 6 new 2 bed flats in the first floor of the Granary was granted on appeal on 3rd July to Berkeley Homes by the Planning Inspector, Mark Jones.
The first floor of the Granary was previously designated as a commercial space but has remained empty since the Grade II* Listed Granary & Bakery was converted in 2005. Gosport Borough Council had refused permission on 7 Sept 2022 to convert the floor to residential use. Berkeley Homes eventually appealed that decision in November 2022.
The Inspector held a hearing and made a site visit on 21st March accompanied by representatives from Berkely Homes, their Managing agents, RMG and representatives from the Residents Association (who were allowed to tag along...). It was an interesting and quite revealing day, particularly listening to the at times quite arcane details of planning law which had to be considered in relation to the site and the building.
The Inspector's reasons for allowing the appeal are set out in the written decision statement, which is available on the GBC Planning portal (ref 22/00006/ROPP click here).
In the meantime, the 1st floor Granary has been sold to Watson Property Ltd, along with most of the other commercial properties at RCY. It remains to be seen as to what their plans will be for the first floor of the Granary.
