Policy KET1 Key Buildings

The Neighbourhood Plan identifies the following key buildings in Central Kettering, shown on the Policies Map. Development proposals will be supported provided they accord with the following site-specific requirements and with other relevant policies of the neighbourhood plan. Where proposals include residential development is accordance with Building for a Healthy Life principles, including space standards, access to private as well as communal and public amenity spaces.

1. Former Magistrates Court and Police Station, London Road.

1. This 0.4-hectare site is designated for a residential led, mixed use development. The Class C3 (Housing) shall include a mix of open market and affordable apartments, in conformity with the tenure mix as set out in the local development plan.
2. All apartments should be built to a minimum of M4(2) accessibility standards.
3. To ensure resident wellbeing, a minimum of 10sqm private balcony space per apartment is required. The development should also provide appropriate shared amenity space which provides an abundance of planting, accessible paths and seating, areas of sunlight and shade, include space for children’s play and lighting suitable within the conservation area.
4. The development shall retain the historic buildings forming the frontage onto Market Street, to be converted for Class F2 (community) use including the provision of office space for Kettering Town Council and public toilets with an option to be transferred to the Town Council secured by legal agreement.
5. The development may include provision for E(d) indoor sport and fitness.  
6. Given the highly accessible town centre location of the development, it shall prioritise access and movement by active travel modes and seek to minimise use of the private car. This will include provision of space for car club schemes, secure covered cycle parking and storage, EV charging points
7. Public realm improvements to introduce additional cycle parking in this location will be supported.

2. 45- 49 High Street (Former Marks and Spencer)

1. The ground floor (approx. 7,500 sq ft) located within the Primary Shopping Area shall be retained for Class E retail uses.  
2. Redevelopment of the active retail frontage should fully accord with the Shop Fronts Design Guidance. It should repair and restore original features wherever possible, keep facias proportional to the elevation; use high quality, durable materials, respect the vertical rhythm across the wider frontage and adapt corporate branding to fit the building.
3. Subdivision of the rear and upper floors (approx. 13,000sqft) of the building to enable opportunities for a mix of appropriate town centre leisure or community uses will be supported.

3. 19 High Street (Former Gala Bingo)  

1. This 0.26hectare site is designated for a mixed-use development.
2. The eastern (front) section, comprising the front entrance, lobby, circulation areas and access staircases is designated town centre retail, commercial and leisure uses. Uses which support the evening economy, including cinema, arts or cultural uses, will be encouraged.
3. Redevelopment of the eastern (front) elevation must retain the art-deco façade including the striking central cylindrical glass blockwork tower.
4. The active frontage must respond to the setting of the Conservation Area and the Grade II listed building at 16 & 18 High Street.
5. Residential (Class C3) development shall only be located in the western (rear) portion of the building, comprising the auditorium area and the main open hall to the ground floor.
6. Access for the residential scheme shall be from Meadow Road.
7. Residential development shall include a mix of open market and affordable apartments, in conformity with the tenure mix as set out in the local development plan.
8. Residential development should be built to a minimum of M4(2) accessibility standards.
9. To ensure resident wellbeing, a minimum a minimum of 10sqm private balcony space per apartment is required, alongside an appropriate level of well landscaped shared amenity space.

4. The Royal Hotel, Market Place

1. The site shall be retained as an hotel and leisure facility (use class C2)
2. proposals for the restoration of the stable block with redevelopment for use as ancillary accommodation for the hotel will be supported.
3. proposals to extend the hotel with the redevelopment of Westbury House to preserve the building and bring forward a viable use of this historic building, will be supported.
4. Proposals for the southern elevation of the stable block facing onto West Street should seek to reinstate the sections of the dutch gable roof which have been removed.
5. Historic detailing such as the star shaped plates on the southern elevation, original and internal plates and tether rings and glazed brick detailing should be retained wherever possible. vi) proposals which include diversification of the hotel to include complementary uses such as shared workspace, meeting rooms and events space, will be supported.

5. Kettering Manor House (Museum), Sheep Street

1. This building is designated for F1/F2 community uses as part of the wider “heritage quarter” offer, integrated with the library and art gallery.

6. Drovers Hall & Kettering Swimming Pool, London Road/Bowling Green Road.

1. The area comprising the Drovers Hall and Kettering Swimming Pool is designated for F2 community use. 
2. Proposals to redevelop either location should be comprehensively masterplanned to ensure efficient and optimal use of the site, including the curtilage of the current car park.
3. redevelopment of these locations should maximise the opportunity to reduce the visual impact of the large surface car park, which currently detracts from character and streetscape of the area.
4. the design of any replacement swimming pool building should minimise disruption to the historic unity of the area.
5. Any redevelopment of Drovers Hall must respect the heritage significance of the building and retain the active Victorian frontage which curves around the junction.
6. redevelopment should seek to improve pedestrian permeability and active travel connectivity with the surrounding area and the town centre.