Go-ahead for extra rooms at historic Hereford hotel

A “landmark” Hereford hotel has gained permission to turn underused rooms into extra accommodation to meet demand.

The three-star, grade II listed Green Dragon Hotel in Broad Street had to apply for listed building consent as well as planning application to turn six first-floor function and storage rooms, including the historic wood-panelled Judge’s Office, into five “high-quality” large bedrooms and suites.

This would require fire, acoustic, thermal and ventilation improvements to all the rooms. But the changes would “contribute to providing further financial and wider economic security in attracting locals and visitors to this city’s landmark hotel”, the hotel’s bid said.

Managing director Julian Vaughan said earlier that surveys have shown the city needs more visitor accommodation, “especially in early and late summer, when people are pushed out of the city, even though that’s where they’d rather be”.

Herefordshire Council’s buildings conservation consultant Nick Joyce said he would “not support underboarding or suspended ceilings” in the rooms, and would “need to see details of the proposed means of fire, and if required, sound separation between floors” – but otherwise supported the scheme.

There were no objections from Historic England or the public, though Hereford City Council sought, and was given, assurances that the Judge’s Room would be left “untouched”.

Planning officer Josh Bailey was satisfied that heritage concerns had been addressed, and that the proposed change “would lead to considerable positive economic, environmental and social effects”.

Full planning permission and listed building consent were granted.