Rushcliffe Borough Council has moved to protect three prominent Victorian West Bridgford properties from demolition, confirming an Article 4(1) Direction that removes developers’ automatic rights to tear them down without full planning scrutiny.
The decision, to be discussed at a Cabinet meeting on Tuesday 9 September 2025, safeguards Grafton House (67 Loughborough Road), Welbeck House (69 Loughborough Road) and the neighbouring 2A Patrick Road, all of which sit at the busy junction of Loughborough Road, Melton Road and Wilford Lane.
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The move follows a long-running dispute over the future of the Victorian-era buildings, which are recognised by planners as Non-Designated Heritage Assets (NDAs).
In July 2024, a planning application (24/01261/FUL) sought to demolish Grafton and Welbeck House and replace them with a 32-unit apartment block. That scheme attracted 124 objections from residents, citing concerns over the loss of heritage, traditional architecture and local character.
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The Council refused permission in February 2025, citing the “substantial harmful effect” on the significance of the buildings and their group value.
Despite this, the owners submitted a prior approval application in April 2025 (25/00794/DEMOL) to demolish the two Loughborough Road houses under permitted development rights – a legal route that limits councils to only considering demolition method and site remediation, not the principle of loss.
Fearing an imminent demolition without any approved redevelopment plans in place, the Council acted swiftly in May 2025 to impose an immediate Article 4 Direction, temporarily revoking the right to demolish without full planning permission.
The Council’s report stressed that the three properties form a “distinct and focused group” of large, architecturally significant houses in a highly visible location.
Under the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), heritage assets – including non-designated ones – are considered an “irreplaceable resource”. Paragraph 217 states that authorities “should not permit the loss of the whole or part of a heritage asset without taking all reasonable steps to ensure the new development will proceed after the loss has occurred”.
As no viable redevelopment scheme is currently approved, councillors concluded that only a permanent Article 4 could prevent the site from being reduced to an empty plot.
A statutory consultation ran from 21 May to 19 June 2025.
83 responses supported the Direction (including 27 who ticked the ‘object’ box in error but made clear they opposed demolition).
Just 1 objection was lodged – from a legal representative of the owners, Rockwood Developments Ltd.
6 other responses were unclear or contradictory.
All respondents gave addresses within the Nottingham area, underlining the strong local interest.
The owners argued through their solicitors that the Direction was “unnecessary and disproportionate”. However, they did not dispute the Council’s identification of the properties as heritage assets, nor the threat of demolition.
Council officers concluded that the objection failed to present an alternative means of protecting the buildings.
The report notes that the only risk now is a potential judicial review challenge or a compensation claim by the owners – though this is considered “low risk”.
The Article 4 Direction will not prevent renovations or maintenance, but ensures that any demolition proposals must go through the full planning process with community consultation.
The Direction will remain in force indefinitely unless withdrawn by the Council at a future date.
