Agenda item

Change of use from Class B2 (General Industry) to Class A5 (Hot Food Takeaways) for use as a takeaway, including installation of new shopfront at 95 High Road and installation of external flue at 97 High Road (for use at 95 High Road.)

RECOMMENDATION: APPROVAL

Change of use from Class B2 (General Industry) to Class A5 (Hot Food Takeaways) for use as a takeaway, including installation of new shopfront.

63771/APP/2010/2174

Planning permission was sought for the retention of the use of the premises as a take away business and the shopfront. It was considered that the level of shop uses in the parade and in the nearby Ickenham Local Centre were adequate to maintain the convenience shopping needs of local residents, and the shopfront was acceptable and did not detract from the appearance of the street scene.

A fascia sign had also been erected however this is the subject to a separate application for Advertisement Consent. The new shopfront comprised a glazed shopfront set within a powder coated aluminium frame with a 1m wide centrally positioned doorway with internal ramped access.

Originally the applicants also applied for the retention of the extractor flue located on the flank wall of 97 High Street. The duct was located some 9m behind the front elevation of 97 High Street, immediately before the existing external metal staircase. It comprised galvanised steel attached to the wall by brackets and measures 1m by 1m tapering to 0.8m by 0.8m, and extending approximately 1m above the parapet. However, the applicants had agreed to submit details of a new flue and remove the existing one.

In accordance with the Council’s constitution a representative of the petition received in objection to the proposal was invited to address the meeting.

Points raised by the petitioner:

• The Petitioner present lived next door to the site.
• She stated that although the existing flue would be removed a subsequent flue would have to be approved.
• The petitioner stated that parking on the lay by would cause congestion to other residents.
• That rats would congregate in areas where rubbish was piled up.
• That the proposed application was not in-keep with the area.

Mr Christopher Dance spoke on behalf of the applicant:

• The applicant had worked very closely with the case officer to address any issues.
• He stated that there were no development plans that objected to this application.
• That there were no objections to the shop front.
• Mr Dance stated that the existing flue would be removed and a new one would be erected, where permission had been granted.
• He stated that there were no highways objections to the proposed application.
• That the application was subject to a time bound condition.
• Mr Dance stated that officers had fully scrutinised all the issues and he urged that the Committee followed the advice of the officers.

Members asked officers clarification on the opening hours of the premises. Officers confirmed that staff were only permitted on the premises from 08:00 until 23:30 hours, and this was as per the officer report.

Members and officers discussed the flue which officers had made clear to the applicant a new one should be smaller in size. The current flue was unauthorised and did not have permission. It was confirmed that this was not in consideration with this application.

It was moved, seconded and was unanimously agreed that the application be approved

Resolved –

That the application be approved as set out in the officer’s report with amendments as set out in the addendum.