Agenda item

Change of use of shop (A1 use class) to cafe (A3 use class)

LOCAL MEMBER:    Councillor Dylan Bullard

Link to relevant background documents

Change of use of shop (A1 use class) to cafe (A3 use class).

(a)     The Development Control Officer elaborated on the background of the application, noting that it was for the change of use of a shop (A1) to a café (A3) with a Welsh theme to display local crafts and produce and Welsh music. It was noted that it was not proposed to undertake any external alterations, however it was intended to install an extractor on the gable-end of the building.

It was explained that the previous use of the unit was as an Ethel Austin shop, which had shut a number of years ago, and since then planning permission has been granted to convert it into two separate shops with a dance studio above.

The building was situated within the main shopping area and the designated Town Centre of the Pwllheli Urban Service Centre and within a C1 flooding zone.

Reference was made to the responses to the consultations within the report. It was noted that no new information had been received since then.  Observations had been received from the public on the applications and these were noted in the report. 

Since being granted permission to convert the building into two shops in 2014, it was explained that the shop in question had not been occupied, but the adjacent shop operated as a William Hill bookmaker. Previously, the Ethel Austin shop occupied the whole property, before the chain went into administration in 2010, and was briefly occupied by the Life and Style retail business until 2011. Given that the shop had been empty for a prolonged period, it was considered that there were justified grounds for the change the use in order to bring the shop back into use and to remove the dead frontage in such a prominent and central location within the town. The proposed use as a café would be an attraction in the town centre, and it was not considered that the change of use would have a detrimental impact on the function of the main shopping area nor the town centre. 

It was proposed to install an extractor on the building and the observations of the Public Protection Unit were awaited on this, and following the receipt of favourable observations, it was considered that the change of use was acceptable, and would not have a detrimental impact on the amenities of any nearby residents. 

Due to the scale of the application and its location as well as its existing features, it was considered that the proposal complied with the relevant local and national policies.   Therefore, it was recommended to delegate powers to the Senior Planning Manager to approve the application, subject to the receipt of favourable observations from the Public Protection Unit on the suitability of the proposed extraction system/flue and to conditions listed at the end of the report.  

(b)     It was proposed and seconded to approve the application.

            RESOLVED:  To delegate powers to the Senior Planning Manager to approve the application, subject to the receipt of favourable observations from the Public Protection Unit on the suitability of the proposed extraction system/flue and to relevant conditions:

1.            Commence within five years.

2.            In accordance with the plans

3.            Conditions recommended by the Public Protection Unit in relation to noise/extractor/flue.

Note:  

        Copy of the letter from Natural Resources Wales, dated 25 April 2018.