REFUSED

Description of application – Part two/three storey rear extension comprising extension to ground floor retail unit with 2 two bedroom flats on first and second floors, change of use of retail unit from Class A2 (financial and professional services) to Class A3 (restaurant and cafes) alterations to shopfront and elevational alterations with associated car parking at rear.

The Planning Inspectorate’s Appeal Decision dated 2 March 2016 was circulated to Members.

Councillor Simon Fawthrop said that the bulk, height and siting of the proposed extension was unacceptable and would set a precedent and referred to Paragraph 12 of The Planning Inspectorate’s Appeal Decision.  He did not object to the change of use and would welcome a further application on the site. In his opinion, the report recommendation should have been for ‘Members Views’.

Members having considered the report and objections, RESOLVED that PERMISSION BE REFUSED for the following reason:-

1.  The proposed extension by reason of its bulk, size and siting would be overly prominent and incongruous, andconstitute an overdevelopment of the site which is out of character with the locality and would fail to preserve the character and appearance of the Station Square Conservation Area and if permitted would set an undesirable precedent for similar inappropriate development within the area, thereby contrary to Policies BE11 and BE1 of the Unitary Development Plan.