Hereford city jeweller can’t expand as plans refused

Plans by a long-established Hereford jewellers to expand its city-centre shop have been refused.

Pleasance & Harper currently occupies numbers 54 and 56 at the north end of Broad Street, but wanted to amalgamate these with the premises between, currently a newsagents, to form “a single large unit”.

“This will enable the business to expand, attract new brands and operate more efficiently,” a statement with its planning application said.

No change was proposed to the upper floors, though a new front door and staircase to number 56 would “provide improved access to the floors above, allowing potential for future change of use or subdivision of the property”.

The “nondescript” shopfronts were also to be given “a more sympathetic and consistent appearance”, while the roofs, described as in a poor state of repair, would also be fixed.

The jewellery firm dates from 1879 and has had a presence in the city since 1936.

Both 54 and 55 Broad Street are grade II listed, in an archaeologically sensitive spot opposite the grade II* All Saints’ Church within the city’s central conservation area.

Herefordshire Council’s building conservation officer Debra Lewis set out several objections to the scheme in a ten-page submission.

She concluded that no adequate assessment of the planned internal and roof works had been provided; that the changes would harm the significance of the listed building; and that the proposed new frontage “would fail to preserve or enhance” the conservation area.

This convinced planning officer Eleanor Barry, and full planning permission was refused.