A PROPOSED expansion of Frenchay Village Museum has been granted permission by councillors against the advice of planning officers.

South Gloucestershire Council development management committee voted 7-0, with two abstentions, to approve the listed building application to demolish the existing single-storey extension and garage and build a single-storey rear and a two-storey side extension with disabled toilets.

The local authority’s conservation officer said it would cause “substantial harm” to the historic importance of the former lodge and recommended refusal.

But councillors gave the go-ahead after deciding the public benefits would far outweigh this.

Two cross-party ward councillors, the cabinet member for planning, Winterbourne Parish Council and 19 residents supported the plans.

Similar proposals were approved by the committee in 2022 but because the building is classed as “curtilage listed” as it is associated with the nearby Grade II-listed Frenchay Park House, listed building consent was also required.

This was refused by officers last December because the scale of the alterations were deemed too big.

So, Frenchay Tuckett Society, which runs the local history museum, made some changes to the designs, which members accepted on Thursday, October 24, despite officers’ recommendation to refuse, although a fresh planning application is now needed because it is slightly different to the scheme that previously got the green light.

Society chair Hugh Whatley told the meeting that over the last 10 years, 450 homes had been built on the former Frenchay Hospital which now separate the old lodge from the main listed building, so the historic context between the two had been eroded.

Architect John Page said: “The extension has been designed with every care to make sure that the original lodge retains its identity and to ensure its scale and pretty appearance are not smothered by the new extension.”

He said the extension would be set well back from the tiny museum to ensure it could not be seen from the front of the building.

Cabinet member for planning, regeneration and infrastructure Cllr Chris Willmore (Lib Dem, Yate North), who is not a member of the committee because it is independent of the council’s executive, told members: “I referred this to the committee because the current position is a total nonsense.”

She said that for reasons unknown, the planning application and the listed building application became disconnected and received different decisions.

Cllr Willmore said: “If you look out from Frenchay Park House, the big listed house, what you see are row after row of modern houses and you can’t see this building.

“There was a time when it would have been fantastic to keep the lodge as it is, but that ship sailed when planning consent was given for 450 houses.”

Ward Cllr Raj Sood (Lib Dem, Frenchay & Downend) said: “This derelict building was brought to life by Frenchay Tuckett Society 25 years ago and I support their desire to extend it.”

He said the plans would benefit the community.

Ward Cllr Cllr Liz Brennan (Conservative, Frenchay & Downend) said: “The application proposes removing an eyesore of a modern pebble-dash flat-roof garage and replacing it with an extension to the lodge.

“I want to emphasise the considerable community benefits that the museum brings to our residents and the wider area.

“The museum, supported by dedicated volunteers, serves as an invaluable resource.

“It allows our community, including local schools, to engage in and learn about the history of Frenchay, a history that would likely be lost without this museum’s efforts.

“The modern housing development now surrounds the gatehouse lodge and the significance to the main house is no longer visible.

“The society and the architect have approached the extension with a deep respect for heritage and preservation.”

South Gloucestershire Council development manager Marie Bath said: “The proposed two-storey extension would more than double the width of the original building and the choice of materials would not be complementary or sympathetic, being recycled plastic cladding.

“The single-storey extension is also incongruous.

“The proposal would result in a harmful level of visual competition that would result in a loss of historic character compared to the scale of the original building.

“This extension is too big and has the wrong materials.”

But committee member Cllr Tony Williams (Lib Dem, Severn Vale) said: “What is being proposed is sympathetic to the building.

“It has been demonstrated that the benefits that would come from this far outweigh any harm.

“It will be a great asset to the public.”

Cllr Adrian Rush (Lib Dem, Chipping Sodbury & Cotswold Edge) said: “This will give the building a new lease of life and it will look lovely.”

Cllr Brennan said afterwards: “I’m absolutely delighted that the plans have been approved.

“The museum is an enormous asset to the village and the plans have the support of local residents.

“While I understand the concerns of the council’s heritage officers, I have every confidence that any future changes to the building will respect its historic character and will be of huge benefit to the local community.”