Wedding reception and business events plan for prominent building on Angel Hill, in Bury St Edmunds

Wedding receptions and business events could be held at a prominent Bury St Edmunds building if planners give the nod.

West Suffolk Council is considering proposals to partially change the use of the ground floor of 6 Angel Hill – which will be remembered by many as the town’s former Tourist Information Centre – from single dwelling to occasional use of ground floor for wedding receptions, business/networking events etc.

When the ground floor was not required for this use, it would revert back to being used as a single dwelling.

A planning statement submitted on behalf of applicant Nic Rumsey, of developers Jaynic, said: “This most impressive, restored townhouse occupies a prominent position on Angel Hill and contains extensive accommodation of over 5,000sqft arranged over four floors with rear gardens and gated parking area.

“It is expected that guests/visitors would have the use of the entire ground floor of the property and gardens for small/medium sized wedding receptions or similar events.”

The house – which is close to Bury’s register office – dates from around 1696, incorporating earlier fragments, and is described as a building of ‘high significance as a designated heritage asset’.

The prominent four-storey Grade II*-listed property is currently a single dwelling following planning approvals granted in 2015.

Before this, part of the ground floor was used as meeting rooms by a clinical psychologist and, prior to that, it was the town’s Tourist Information Centre, with its first and second floors largely empty.

The planning statement said only small to medium-sized wedding receptions were anticipated, while business and networking events would be limited by the size of the main reception rooms along with the study and dining/garden room.

Visitors would also be able to use the landscaped gardens.

The planning statement said it was accepted some planning conditions might be required to ensure the change of use did not impact on nearby properties, particularly residential uses above commercial premises.

A separate listed building application has been submitted for minor internal alterations relating to the proposed ground floor usage changes.