Agenda item - 17-19 HOWARDSGATE, WELWYN GARDEN CITY, AL8 6HA - 6/2018/1232/FULL - CHANGE OF USE FROM A1 POST OFFICE TO A3/A4 RESTAURANT AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT WITH ASSOCIATED WORKS

Agenda item

17-19 HOWARDSGATE, WELWYN GARDEN CITY, AL8 6HA - 6/2018/1232/FULL - CHANGE OF USE FROM A1 POST OFFICE TO A3/A4 RESTAURANT AND DRINKING ESTABLISHMENT WITH ASSOCIATED WORKS

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance).

 

http://planning.welhat.gov.uk/plandisp.aspx?recno=87773

Minutes:

Report of the Corporate Director (Public Protection, Planning and Governance) setting out an application for the change of use from A1 Post Office to A3/A4 Restaurant and Drinking establishment with associated works.

 

The application site comprised a vacant building last used as a Post Office and convenience store.  The imposing building was located on a prominent corner plot facing onto Howardsgate and Wigmores North which had been vacant since October 2016.

 

The application site was located in a designated secondary and mixed use frontage within a primary shopping parade of predominately A3 and A4 units.

 

The application had been presented to the Committee because the proposed development was a departure from the development plan.

 

M.Schooling, (applicant) spoke in support of the application. He informed the Committee that the development would be of an individual design in keeping with the location in the frontage of Howardsgate and the conservation area and would have a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of the town centre also creating employment. Many letters of support for the proposal had been received.

 

The Committee discussed the balance of use between retail and pub/restaurant use as provided for in current planning policies and the draft local plan submission noting that evidence of active and extensive marketing of the property for A1 use had been provided and that the A3/A4 use would support the vitality and viability of the town centre providing overriding benefits.

 

All nineteen representations received supported the proposal.

 

It was noted that a late representation of support had been received from the Welwyn Garden City Business Improvement District.

 

Following discussion, it was proposed by Councillor T.Lyons, seconded by Councillor A.Chesterman and

 

RESOLVED:

(11 voting for, 2 against)

 

That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions contained in the report.

 

DRAWING NUMBERS

 

The development/works shall not be started and completed other than in accordance with the approved plans and details:

 

Plan Number

Revision Number

Details

Received Date

03(06)

 

Proposed Elevation E02, E03

9 May 2018

03(07)

 

Proposed Section A A

9 May 2018

03(08)

 

Proposed Section BB

9 May 2018

01(01)

 

Existing Basement Plan

9 May 2018

01(05)

 

Existing Elevation E01

9 May 2018

01(06)

 

Existing Rear Elevation E02, E03

9 May 2018

01(07)

 

Existing Section AA

9 May 2018

01(08)

 

Existing Section BB

9 May 2018

03(05)

 

Proposed Elevation E01

9 May 2018

03(10)

 

Site Layout Plan

9 May 2018

01(02)

 

Existing Ground Floor Plan

9 May 2018

01(03)

 

Existing First Floor Plan

9 May 2018

01(04)

 

Existing Roof Plan

9 May 2018

03(01)

 

Proposed Basement General Arrangement Plan

9 May 2018

03(02)

 

Proposed Ground Floor General Arrangement Plan

9 May 2018

03(03)

 

Proposed First Floor General Arrangement Plan

9 May 2018

03(04)

 

Proposed Roof Plan

9 May 2018

03(09)

 

Site Location and Block Plan

9 May 2018

001-559-01

B

Ground Floor HVAC Layout

25 September 2018

001-599-02

F

First Floor HVAC Layout

25 September 2018

03 (09) B

 

Proposed Plant Area Elevation

25 September 2018

001-599-03

C

External Elevations A-A & B-B HVAC Layout

25 September 2018

 

REASON: To ensure that the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans and details.

 

POSITIVE AND PROACTIVE STATEMENT

 

The decision has been made taking into account, where practicable and appropriate the requirements of paragraph 38 of the National Planning Policy Framework and material planning considerations do not justify a decision contrary to the development plan (see the Officer’s report which can be viewed on the Council's website or inspected at these offices).

Supporting documents: