Acquisition feasibility advice, planning project management and heritage advice for High Quality Boutique Hotel.

Grey Friars is a large Grade II* listed complex which  lies within a designated Conservation Area on the edge of Colchester Town Centre.  

The client acquired the property in 2008 from Essex County Council with the aim of converting it from an Adult Education Centre into a High Quality boutique hotel with associated bar, restaurant and car parking.  

Given the architectural and historic significance of the site special attention was given to design and heritage considerations.  Planning and listed building consent for this conversion was granted in May 2011, and the hotel opened in July 2015.

• Planning Strategy advice at pre- and post-purchase stages
• Liaison and negotiations with English Heritage and the Local Planning Authority
• Project management of planning process and masterplan preparation for hotel and housing scheme
• Heritage Asset Assessment
• Coordinated community consultation exercise
• Preparation and submission of Planning and Listed Building Consent applications, and associated applications to vary and discharge conditions and re-siting of bus stop and shelter
• Preparation and submission of non material minor amendment and revised listed building consent applications
• Preparation and submission of advertisement consent application and planning application for car park reconfiguration
• Planning appeal allowed for removal of a planning condition