AN ICONIC hotel in Hereford city centre has been given the go-ahead to make a change to the building to improve security and energy efficiency.

The grade II-listed Green Dragon Hotel, in Broad Street, wants to add a new door at the rear of the building in Aubrey Street.

Currently, an archway at the rear of the building has two large green doors, but a modern sliding door can now be installed.

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The green doors will remain, left permanently open, and the aim of the work is to improve security, energy efficiency and fire safety.

Applicant Julian Vaughan has now been told Herefordshire Council planners have granted listed building consent for the work.

the 300-year-old hotel, most recently taken over in 2018, has been undergoing a major refurbishment and this work is part of that.

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The listed building consent was for the addition of glazed doors and side screens to hotel exit on Aubrey Street with associated lighting above.

The door installation will be reversible, meaning the door can be removed at a later date and returned to the existing arrangement. Doors, signage and lighting will comply with the fire consultant's specifications, the application 

Agents Architype, based in Twyford near Hereford, said the change would "drastically improve the thermal comfort and performance" of the Green Dragon and would have only a minor impact to the visual appearance.

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"With the current energy crisis and aims to improve building operation and energy efficiency in the future, it is important that historic buildings do their best to improve on these fronts, whilst respecting their heritage," consultants said.

"The replacement door gives a subtle change to the rear exit of the building, but maintains the historic elevation and retains the beautiful green double doors.

"Improving both fire safety and energy efficiency by creating a better draft proofing to the exit. Additionally, there is a security improvement to the building, deterring damange or break in."