Why consideration should be given to application WA/2010/0830

You may ask why support the application on the Waverley Borough Council website reference number WA/2010/0830 in respect of change of use from hotel/restaurant to single dwelling house. The following, albeit in brief, forms Mr Norris's application and gives us an idea of what Undershaw needs and what his proposals are:

"The property has been vacant since 2004. In this time the property has been left to degrade and has been subject to vandalism. It is critical that the building receives remedial work before the extent of damage makes repairs unviable. It has been noted that the council has taken steps to protect the building from the elements by means of scaffold and roof coverings.

Whilst it has been suggested in a previous application that "...there is no market interest in the property as a single dwelling house ..." the application we have now submitted would highlight a view to the contrary. The 1930's extension to the original house notwithstanding, the property has always retained its single dwelling house character. It is in the interest of preserving this heritage asset that we have put this proposal forward to return the building to its original use as a single domestic dwelling.

All materials will be appropriate to preserving the period style of the building and resue it from its current dilapidated state. There will be negligible impact to the main South and West facades to the building. All the work considers the character of the building being upheld and reversing the damage that has been subsequent to the closure of the hotel. All measures which were applied to bring the building up to relevant standards for hotel use such as fire doors on the first floor landing and second floor emergency escape will be sensitively reversed keeping in mind the Edwardian aesthetic and detailing.

I hope after you have read this you will support Mr Norris's application to return Undershaw to a single dwelling house - PPG15 advises that: "The best use will very often be the line for which the building was originally designed, and the continuation or reinstatment of that use should certainly be the first options when the future of a building is considered". Why on earth did Waverley Borough Council not follow the advise of the PPG15?