Issue - meetings

This was an application for the subdivision of existing unit to 2no. retail units (Use Class E) and 1no. hot food takeaway (Use Class Sui Generis) following the erection of a single storey side extension, first floor extension and associated external alterations at 23 Bridge Road, Wellington, Telford, Shropshire, TF1 1ED.

This application was before Committee at the request of Wellington Town Council. 

Councillor G Cook, representing the Town Council, explained that he wasn’t opposed to new business, but that there had previously been issues with takeaways.  He raised concerns regarding the drainage, the air conditioning and the air pollution, lack of proper insulation, parking, deliveries and the lack of space within the car park, bin storage and litter and the impact on the neighbouring public house. 

Councillor P Davis, Ward Member, spoke against the application and raised concerns regarding the unacceptable harm to the character of the area as an historic market town, impact on the highway network, traffic movement, deliveries and parking.  Further concerns were raised regarding the extraction systems and cooking odours and the company previously being prosecuted via enforcement action.  If Members were minded to approve the application, it was requested that odour be controlled through a management plan, high quality materials be used, compliance with a traffic management plan and agreement of delivery times and waste collection as well as hours of operation. 

A Bruce, Applicant’s Agent, spoke in favour of the application and set out that the Applicant was in agreement with all conditions set out in the report, particularly in relation to highways, air quality, odour control and bin collections.  He explained that the current system in operation was not cost effective and the applicant considered that the new site offered a good opportunity to ensure a more robust system be installed on the first floor which would irradicate noise and odour as they did not wish to be prosecuted again.  It was agreed that an appropriately worded condition be set out by the Environmental Team in order that there were no issues going forward.  In relation to deliveries, the car park was considered sufficient and it would be an improvement in respect of highways issues.  He asked that the application be approved.

The Planning Officer informed Members that the site was located within the built-up area but whilst it was situated within the Market Town of Wellington it sat outside of the designated primary shopping area. Consideration had been given to Policies EC6 of the Telford and Wrekin Local Plan and Policy EC7 of the emerging Local Plan and supported the change of use to retail and it was therefore accepted in principle.  The over-proliferation of similar uses such as takeaways within an area was considered and as the unit would be positioned between a proposed E Class Use unit and an estate agent it was considered that this complied with policy.  Officers were satisfied that the site was large enough to accommodate the proposed use and would not lead to an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10