A former pub on Christchurch Street West is set to be temporarily converted into office space after Somerset Council approved the change of use planning application earlier this month.
The Pack Horse pub, located at 13 to 14 Christchurch Street West, closed its doors in 2016. The Grade II listed, two-storey, terraced building sits within the development limits of Frome and has been approved for a three-year period as temporary office space.
The plans were submitted by Connor Construction (South West) Ltd, which purchased the premises at auction in 2017. The applicant now wishes to relocate the offices of his construction business, currently based at Crees Quarry, Holwell, to the building.
The planning statement said, “There is no demand for another public house in this location, whereas the applicant has an urgent need to relocate the offices for his business.”
Frome Town Council has supported the plans, which have requested that any future application for a permanent change of use, including residential, should see a comprehensive marketing exercise carried out for the building.
Frome Civic Society also supported the application but noted that although no internal or external alterations are proposed, some changes shown on the proposed floor plan would require a listed building application.
However, the case officer’s report notes that there is no impact on the visual amenity or historic fabric of the building or to the surrounding conservation area.
Local Somerset councillor Cllr Michael Dunk also welcomed the plans and said it would be ‘good to see the building used again.’ However, he raised concerns about parking and whether the car park at the rear of the pub would be sufficient to accommodate everyone.
The case officer’s report highlights that the required parking standard for the proposed temporary use is lower than what was needed for the previous public house use, meaning the proposal satisfies the Somerset Parking Strategy. As such, the on-site parking arrangements are considered acceptable.
