Change of use of shop (A1 use class) to cafe (A3 use class)
LOCAL MEMBER: Councillor Dylan Bullard
Minutes:
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.
Supporting documents: