Agenda item

The Planning Officer presented the application as detailed in the agenda and with the aid of a power point gave a presentation showing the site and proposed plans. 

He advised members that this application was for a change of use of premises.  Should planning permission be granted the applicant would need to apply for a new separate premises license as the previous one had elapsed. 

He referred to the key considerations being; contribution to the night time economy including jobs, the vibrancy and vitality of the town centre and the crime and safety issues.  He updated Members with further information and clarification from the Licensing Manager and therefore more weight could be given to the night time economy.  He believed some more weight could be attributed to the vibrancy and vitality of the town centre particularly in the interest of the Yeovil Refresh and support for the regeneration of the town.  However on balance and taking into consideration strong objections from the Police Authority his recommendation was to refuse the application for reasons set out in the agenda report.

In response to members’ questions, the Planning Officer and Development Manager clarified that:

·         This application is solely to seek planning permission for change of use for the premises within the red line area as indicated on the plan. 

·         Other issues regarding the management and delivery of activities would be controlled under the licensing regime and reiterated the obligation for the applicant to apply for the necessary new premises licence.

·         A separate signage application has been submitted but there are no proposed alterations to the outside of the building.

·         Acknowledged the requirement for the premises to be Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) compliant.

Councillor Andy Kendall, Ward member made reference to recent crime figures taken from Police statistics and believed it revealed that this particular location was not a hot spot for crime.  He acknowledged there were problems in other parts of the town, however with other popular lively drinking bars nearby and frequent passing footfall in the area this was ideal premises for this type of application.  He believed it was important to support the night time economy and vitality of the town and therefore would support the application.

Councillor Kaysar Hussain also voiced support for the application.  He believed that this was ideal use of these premises and believed other types of business such as a fashion clothes shop would not wish to occupy these premises.  He felt it important to support the night time economy and the vitality of the town centre.

During discussion members acknowledged the concerns raised by the Police Authority, however considered the crime figures for the area to be less in comparison to other areas.  They believed the location to be in the leisure corridor of Yeovil with various cafes and a popular public house with dedicated doormen in the area that generates frequent passing footfall.  In conclusion members voiced support for the application and believed it would help the night time economy, vitality and regeneration of the town centre.

During a short debate, members discussed and suggested reasons for approval. It was then proposed and subsequently seconded that planning permission be approved, contrary to the officer’s recommendation for the following reasons as read out by the Planning Officer:

‘The proposal would add to the important night time economy of Yeovil would through appropriate management via the licensing regime not cause fear of crime, impact upon quality of life or community cohesion. As such the proposal complies with Policy EQ2 of the adopted SSLP (2006 - 2028) and the aims and objectives of the NPPF.’

On being put to the vote this was carried unanimously.

RESOLVED:

To grant planning permission to application 17/02523/COU for the following reason

‘The proposal would add to the important night time economy of Yeovil would through appropriate management via the licensing regime not cause fear of crime, impact upon quality of life or community cohesion. As such the proposal complies with Policy EQ2 of the adopted SSLP (2006 - 2028) and the aims and objectives of the NPPF.’

Conditions

The development hereby permitted shall be begun before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

Reason:  To accord with the provisions of section 91(1) of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

The development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans block plan received 12 June 2017 and Location plan and floor plan received 3 July 2017.

Reason: For the avoidance of doubt and in the interests of proper planning

Informative 

You are reminded of the requirements of the DDA in relation to access for all people.

(voting: unanimous)