Thank you for your recent piece on Salisbury’s “40 foot rule” and our application to install the Spitfire Bar at the historic Cathedral Hotel in Milford Street. 

Could I please respond by stressing the following points: 

  • The existing building already exceeds 40 ft - we are not increasing the overall height of the building and are therefore not introducing a new breach of the 40ft rule.

  • Our proposal REDUCES the highest point of the existing shacks and removes those in favour of a more transparent structure offering a much softened visual footprint.

  • We have had overwhelming support for this proposal, including from Salisbury’s Civic Society and the business community.

  • The proposed Spitfire Bar will attract locals and visitors and pay homage to my parents and many others who worked locally in World War II. 

  • We are bringing back to life a Grade 2 Listed building that would otherwise remain a large, empty and unloved shell in the heart of our city.

READ MORE: 'Something new and dynamic' - plans revealed for boutique hotel and rooftop bar

The roof shacks on the Cathedral HotelThe roof shacks on the Cathedral Hotel (Image: Larasian)

READ MORE: Planning application for the Cathedral Hotel submitted

With regard to the ‘setting of precedent’, the policy states that in exceptional circumstances, development in excess of 40ft will be permitted, where it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority that the development: 

  1. will have no demonstrable harm on the roofscape of the city and/or views of the cathedral; 
  2. would be essential for the long-term economic viability of the city; 
  3. has the height required to ensure the development is making the most efficient use of the land. 

We have sought to demonstrate compliance with all three of these points in our application. The Council’s own Tourism Market Study and evidence base make it clear that Salisbury is currently being held back by the lack of a high specification boutique hotel. 

The Cathedral HotelThe Cathedral Hotel (Image: Spencer Mulholland Photography)

It’s important to remember that all planning applications need to independently meet and address specific policy tests on their own merits.

It is not the case that just any proposed future rooftop use will address the requirement of being essential to the long-term economic viability of the city. This is a truly exceptional circumstance and does not set a precedent.

Finally, I was born, educated and lived in Salisbury for most of my life. I will not do anything to spoil our beautiful Cathedral City.

Brian Currie

Larasian