How to see Helston Town Band bandroom planning application

The band wants to refurbish its bandroom in Church Street, moving into 19th century stone-built part that was once a school, and replacing the extension at the back.

In doing so it hopes to create a concert stage, seating for 100 people, with the addition of a kitchen and bar, recording studio and two large practice rooms.

A planning application is being discussed at a meeting of Helston Town Council this Thursday (August 1).

It involves the proposed refurbishment and re-roofing of the existing stone-built school house, as well as demolishing and re-building the extension at the back.

A CGI showing inside the bandroom after the proposed refurbishment (Image: South West Community Builds/Cornwall Council planning portal)

The band is currently housed in the old National Boys School, which was built in 1894. The original three classrooms have since been opened up to a large single space.

There is a flat roof extension at the back, described as “outdated.”

The original stone-built building is not used by the band currently, being primarily a storage area, while band practices take place in the cramped extension.

Both buildings are described as lacking in space and toilet facilities, poorly insulated and in need of the repair.

Writing on behalf of the band, Paul Bearham of Southwest Community Builds, said: “Whilst the original stone-build building is not listed, it would be a shame to demolish this beautiful structure. The extension on the other hand needs to be replaced.”

If approved, the newly refurbished original stone building would house:

• A new stage for band rehearsals and concerts
• Seating for 100+
• Bar
• Kitchen
• Balcony
• Recording studio
• Office

The new extension would house on the ground floor:

• A disabled toilet
• Three additional toilets
• Large band practice room
• Bar store
• Instrument store
• Lobby

On the first floor would be:

• A second large band practice room
• Small band practice room
• Toilet
• Music storeroom

Plans show the new footprint of the extension would measure 8.8m x 8.5m, which is smaller than the existing extension of 12.6m x 7.3m.

The intention is that the smaller size would allow for more onsite parking for band members. The tarmac in the current car park would be replaced.

How the bandroom could look (Image: South West Community Builds/Cornwall Council planning portal)

It is proposed to clad the new extension in low maintenance Cedral cement board, with a slate roof.

Mr Bearham said: “We will remove the single block construction extension and replace with a smaller and more in keeping extension. This will include a pitched roof and not a flat roof as per the old extension.

“The main building will be renovated and brought up to modern building control requirements. We will renovate and insulate the roof with a warm roof system to enable the exposed timbers on the inside to be retained. The slate roof will be removed and re-applied.

“The windows will be replaced using aluminium double / triple glazing for heat and sound retention.”

He goes on to add: “The rear single block extension is the worst element of the building and even after extensive renovation 20 years ago, the building is porous and damp.

“It does not serve the function for the Helston Town Band so this will be removed and replaced with a smaller extension approximately 60% of the original size.

“The roofline of this extension will match the main building and will be clad in a similar material to the entrance gable. This will tie the building together and make it more in keeping with the conservation area.”

The band has owned the former National Boys School building for roughly 30 years (Image: South West Community Builds/Cornwall Council planning portal)

Moving on to the former school house, Mr Bearham said: “Although the building is not listed, it has significant presence within Church Street. The main visual features from the street, where cut granite has been used, will be restored and retained.

“Part way along the building the granite quality reduces and again this will be retained as part of the building’s character.

“This building has been owned by Helston Town Band for approximately 30 years and has not been restored in any way.

“To enable this building to serve the community it needs to have an active use. With this, some simple but much-needed additions will need to be added to the building, such as sound and thermal insulation, triple glazing (sound and thermal), modern heating systems, lighting and renewables.

“As part of the public consultations the community were asked about the significant features which they would like to see retained withing the building. The common consensus was to retain the stonework on the exterior and the original roof line but to remove the modern single block flat roof extension.”

The meeting of Helston Town Council takes place this Thursday from 6.15pm in the Guildhall, with the final decision to be taken by Cornwall Council at a later date.

Full plans can be viewed on Cornwall Council’s planning portal via its website, under reference PA24/01223.