Pizza Express in a hurry to open in Bromsgrove –Walsingham Planning ease the way

Walsingham Planning were instructed by Gondola, the holding Company for Pizza Express, to secure change of use of the Listed Building in High Street, Bromsgrove to a new restaurant. It was also necessary to get Listed Building Consent for the conversion works and signage.

Walsingham Planning gave advice to Pizza Express prior to their acquisition of the premises which gave them the confidence to proceed.

The previous use was a bank and Walsingham Planning were therefore able to persuade the Council that the proposal fully complied with their policies to protect the retail frontage.

Given that the interior of the building had previously been fitted out as a bank, Walsingham Planning were able to persuade the Council that conversion works were uncontroversial.

The client needed to confirm that the use was acceptable as soon as possible in order to make the acquisition unconditional, i.e. in advance of the detailed conversion plans being ready for submission. Walsingham Planning were able to persuade the Council that the principle of the change of use could be dealt with separately from the details of the design, thereby helping to secure the deal.

Seperate applications were made and both were approved.