Issue - meetings

143 High Street - 24082/APP/2021/4438

 

Meeting: 24/05/2022 - Borough Planning Committee (Item 11)

11 143 High Street - 24082/APP/2021/4438 pdf icon PDF 9 MB

Change of use from Use Class E (Commercial, Business and Service) to a Nail Parlour (Sui Generis)

 

Recommendation: Approval

Decision:

Minutes:

Change of use from Use Class E (Commercial, Business and Service) to a Nail Parlour (Sui Generis)

 

Officers introduced the application highlighting that the site was situated within the Ruislip Village Conservation Area. The proposed change of use to a nail parlour was considered to be complimentary to the variety of shops and services in the parade and was deemed to not result in an excessive cluster or overconcentration of nail parlours in the town centre. Officer’s recommended that the application be approved subject to the conditions detailed within the officer’s report.

 

A petition had been submitted objecting to the application; the lead petitioner was present and addressed the Committee. Key points included:

 

  • The proposed change of use would lead to an overconcentration of nail salons on Ruislip High Street.
  • The application was sited directly across the street from the petitioner’s own nail salon which had been in business since 2003; the addition of a new nail salon, when there were already a number of similar establishments within the vicinity, would have a detrimental effect on business.
  • There was insufficient footfall along Ruislip High Street to accommodate for a further nail salon, especially in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic which had dramatically impacted business.

 

The agent for the application had submitted a written statement which was read out for the Committee. Key points raised included:

 

  • Ruislip High Street was a versatile and vibrant retail location with an array of business and often multiple establishments operating similar completing businesses successfully.
  • The primary concerns raised by the petitioners pertained to the opening of a competing business within the same vicinity which was not deemed a material planning matter.
  • It was the applicants right to choose a suitable location to start their new business.

 

The Committee sympathised with the petitioner and their situation however it was understood that the primary concerns raised in their petition were not material planning matters and therefore could not be considered when determining the application before them. Members noted that there were 7 vacant units along Ruislip High Street and the Committee were in a position to improve the vibrancy of the shopping parade.

 

The officer’s recommendation was moved, seconded, and when put to a vote, unanimously agreed.

 

RESOLVED: That the application be approved, as per the officer’s recommendation.