Agenda item - BH2014/03996, 4a Blatchington Road, Hove - Full Planning

Change of use from retail (A1) to hot food take away (A5) and installation of new entrance door and extract duct.

RECOMMENDATION – GRANT

Ward Affected: Central Hove

Change of use from retail (A1) to hot food take away (A5) and installation of extract duct.

(1)             The Planning Manager, Applications, Nicola Hurley, introduced the application by reference to site plans, photographs and elevational drawings. It was noted that the consideration of the application had been deferred at the meeting of the Committee held on 5 August 2015 in order to enable further research to take place following comments made by the objector regarding the accuracy of the acoustic report. A response had now been received from Environmental Health stating that the slightly different measurement position should not affect the accuracy of the results provided to any significant degree.

(2)          The main considerations in the determination of this application related to the principle of the change of use, the impact of the external alterations on the character and appearance of the recipient building and the wider area, the impact of the development on the amenity of occupiers of neighbouring properties and the impact on parking and the highway network in the locality. It was not considered that the proposed change of use would have a significantly detrimental impact on the vitality and viability of the Hove Town Centre. The proposed external works would not have an unacceptably harmful impact on the character and appearance of the recipient property or the wider street scene. The proposed change of use would not have a significantly harmful impact on the amenity of occupiers of neighbouring properties, nor would it result in undue parking street or traffic congestion in the locality. Planning permission was therefore recommended.

              Debate and Decision Making Process

(3)          Councillor Mac Cafferty stated that he considered the proposal was acceptable but that it was important however, to ensure that the type of different uses within an area was monitored to ensure that there was not an over concentration of any particular use. Councillor Janio also concurred in that view.

(4)          A vote was taken, and the 11 Members present when the vote was taken voted 10 to 1 that planning permission be granted.

94.4       RESOLVED - That the Committee has taken into consideration and agrees with the reasons for the recommendation set out in section 11 of the report and the policies and guidance in section 7 and resolves to GRANT planning permission subject to the Conditions and Informatives set out in section 11.

              Note: Councillor Bennett was absent from the meeting during consideration of and voting on the above application.