Agenda item

Change of use of the existing building from its current use for B2 General Industrial to mixed use for use as cafe and as a hot food takeaway at Unit 10, Upper Mantle Close, Clay Cross.

(Planning Manager – Development Management)

 Councillor K Rouse left the meeting.

The report to Committee explained that an Application had been submitted for the change of use of the existing building from its current use for B2 General Industrial to mixed use, for use as cafe and as a hot food takeaway at Unit 10, Upper Mantle Close, Clay Cross. The Application had been referred to committee by Local Ward Member, Councillor K Rouse, due to the significance of the site.

Planning Committee was recommended to refuse the Application. The report to Committee explained the reasons for this.

Officers accepted that matters relating to design, amenity, highway safety and flood risk are satisfactory. However, they explained that the proposal lay on a site designated as a Principal Employment Area. In this context, the proposal was deemed as unacceptable as it would conflict with the Council’s policy on delivering commercial development on appropriate sites. Additionally, the report contended that the lack of vacant premises surrounding the proposal should be taken as evidence that there is a demand for Use Class B2 sites in the area.

Officers concluded that the proposal would not accord with Local and National Planning Policies. They recommended, therefore, that the application be refused.

Before the Committee considered the application it heard from local business owner L Barnes who spoke in support of the Application as well as the Applicant, L Bell and the Agent, C Retford.

Committee considered the application. It took into account the changing needs and characteristics of Clay Cross. It considered the relevant Local and National Planning Policies. These included Local Plan Policy WC2 concerning Principal Employment Areas, and Local Plan Policy SP2 concerning Clay Cross. Committee also considered the social and economic effects of the café on the local area.

Members discussed the application. Committee acknowledged that permitting the change of use would be contrary to Local Planning Policy. The dangers of the precedent set, should permission be granted, were highlighted. However, some Members deemed that substantial weight should also be put on the social and economic benefits of the proposal. It was felt that the café functioned as a hub for the community as it served workers from the industrial estate and several regular older customers on a daily basis. With this came several gains to the local area. For instance, the use of local suppliers, the amenity provided to the industrial estate and the employment of nine people. In this context, some Members suggested that the café could be seen as ancillary to the Principal Employment Area. It was highlighted that these benefits were not secured by the change of use of land as they were singular to the café in question. Committee agreed that personal permission should be given to the Applicant, in order to mitigate these concerns.

At the conclusion of the discussion Councillor H Liggett and Councillor D Hancock moved and seconded a Motion to approve the Application. The Motion was put to a vote and agreed.

RESOLVED –

That the Application be approved, contrary to Officers recommendations.

That the final wording of the conditions be delegated to the Planning Manager (Development Management).

Reason

The ancillary social and economic benefits to the area that would be provided under the Application.