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Freemasons' plans to convert a former caretaker's lodge into rental accommodation to raise funds to maintain the Masonic Temple have been rejected, as they didn't include new parking spaces for residents.
This is the second time the group has put forward plans to convert the lodge into a block of flats.
A previous application was rejected over concerns that the new four-storey building would result in “shadowing and overlooking of neighbouring properties from windows and balconies.”
Planning Officer Elizabeth Stables said the building would have had an “overbearing” impact on neighbouring properties, whilst its scale, mass and design would have been out of character and detrimental to the street scene.
Pictured: Early designs for the redevelopment. (Dyson and Buesnel Architects)
While the Masonic Temple was first erected at its Stopford Road site in 1864, based on designs by General Hospital and Royal Court architect Thomas Gallichan, the caretaker’s property dates from the 1960s.
The two-storey, three-bedroom home has been vacant for some time - since the Freemasons have decided to employ companies to look after the temple – and it was therefore hoped that renting out flats would provide much-needed funds to maintain the main building.
Not deterred by the first refusal, the Freemasons put forward a revised planning application earlier this year.
Pictured: The Masonic Temple sits at the corner of Stopford Road and Oxford Road.
The basis of the application was the same, but the plans were modified to create five flats instead of six. The re-development still aimed to create a new kitchen for the temple while the existing one would have been turned into a meeting room.
The design of the building was also amended to address the issues raised by the Planning Officer in the first application. It was redesigned in a more conventional way to fit in better with other properties on Oxford Road, while the height was reduced by changing the shape of the roof at the back of the property.
The balconies and roof terrace were also removed to avoid overlooking.
Those changes led Mrs Stables to conclude the impact of the building on its neighbours would be acceptable and no longer overbearing, but she noted that there was still no arrangement for parking.
Pictured: Provincial Grand Master Kenneth Rondel said the Jersey Freemasons would appeal the decision.
There is a car park next to the temple, which is available to members during the evening and leased out during the day to provide income.
“Despite being invited to provide more detail and allocate specific spaces to address the policy requirement and Parish concerns, no response has been received at the time of writing,” she wrote, adding that a minimum of five spaces specifically dedicated to the flats was necessary. She therefore rejected the new application.
Provincial Grand Master Kenneth Rondel said the Jersey Freemasons were "obviously disappointed" with this second rejection. "However, whilst it appears the development itself is now accepted, the rejection surrounds vehicle parking allocation," he told Express.
"This is frustrating as the allocation of parking within our own car park was stated in the application. We will of course be appealing the decision, as there is no issue with our providing allocated parking for the development."
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