The building, on Thorpe Road, which was a bar and restaurant until it closed in 2012, is subject of a planning application involving the partial demolition and rebuilding of a modern extension and some internal alterations.
It would see the “iconic and long time vacant Listed building” brought back into beneficial use .
“This application is a positive and long-awaited sign of progress in the preservation of this Grade II Listed Building, which has been deteriorating and at risk for some years,” says the Civic Society’s letter of support for the planning application. It adds: “The demolitions described almost all relate to the mid-20th century rear extension and modern internal alterations of no historic value to the original building. “These sympathetic proposals for reactivated beneficial use of the Sessions House as a restaurant are welcomed and the Civic Society therefore supports this application.”
A heritage impact assessment, which forms part of the application, includes up to date photos showing the state of the entrance hall, bar area, mezzanine floor and dining room with its hammerbeam roof.
“The overall condition of the interior is poor, with water ingress and deterioration owing to its long-term vacancy,” says heritage consultant Sam Falco.
“The proposals do not seek to remove historic fabric from the interior of the building, with the proposals seeking repair and modest alterations largely by way of removing modern (late c20) split level platforms from previous restaurant uses and reconfiguration of modern WCs. The internal works to the historic core of the building are considered to result in a beneficial impact.”
8. The Sessions House
The dining room's hammerbeam ceiling at The Sessions House Photo: Sam Falco