Erection of free standing timber deck to front of public house, deck to include ambulant stepped access. Provision of satellite dish to building frontage.

Ward - Hagley

Erection of free standing timber deck to front of public house, deck to include ambulant stepped access.Provision of satellite dish to building frontage.

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application. Updates received following the publication of the agenda were provided as follows:

·         The Traffic Manager commented that the decking resulted in the loss of some parking area but that adequate parking remained to serve the public house

·         One letter of support had been received from Geoffrey Watts of Hagley House, Bartestree commenting that the decked area was well constructed, had caused no nuisance and provided a valuable asset to the public house.

• Copies of a further ten letters of support sent to Councillor Greenow had also recently been received.

In accordance with the criteria for public speaking, Mr Brunt, a local resident, spoke in support of the application.

In accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s constitution, Councillor DW Greenow, the local ward member, spoke in support of the application and raised a number of points, including:

·         The satellite dish referred to in the application had not been erected by the applicant and they would be happy to move it to a less visibly intrusive location on the premises as requested by the Parish Council.

·         52 public houses had closed each week in 2009, up from 39 per week in 2008.

·         Licensees had to diversify to attract new trade, hence the application for the new decking at the New Inn.

·         The decking would give families the opportunity to sit outside and supervise children playing in the outside play area.

·         The decking had been constructed at the same level as the public house interior floor to allow staff to deliver food and drinks to patrons using the decking salfely and conveniently.

·         The decking had trebled the income for the public house over a difficult period.

·         Without the decking there was a real possibility that the New Inn would close, the decking had been key to attracting families to the public house.

·         The application was in keeping with section 9.6.9 of the Council’s Unitary Development Plan as the character of the building had not been affected by the decking as it was not attached to the original building.

·         The UDP also stated under 7.6.2 that ‘public houses perform a vital economic and social function and should be retained wherever possible’.

·         There had been a number of letters of support submitted to the planning department in respect of the application.

·         The decking could be stained in a natural colour to alleviate any concerns regarding visual impact.

In response to a question, the Senior Planning Officer confirmed that the ramp would be removed from the decking in order to limit the visual impact of the decking. Members were concerned that the removal of the ramp could be contrary to DDA guidance.

The Committee was of the opinion that the current decking was contrary to planning policy and felt that issues in respect of landscaping, colour and disabled access had to be addressed before any permission could be granted. Members discussed the possibility of approving the application subject to a number of conditions to address these concerns but on balance felt that the determination of the application should be deferred pending further discussions with the applicant.

Councillor DW Greenow was given the opportunity to close the debate in accordance with paragraph 4.8.2.2 of the Council’s Constitution. He made the following comments:

·         The applicant would be happy to keep the ramp but had been advised to remove it.

·         The colour of the decking was due to be changed to a more natural colour.

·         He supported the committee’s opinion that appropriate landscaping be added as a condition.

·         The Council should support such applications to improve small businesses.

RESOLVED

That the determination of the applications be deferred pending further discussions with the applicant in respect of landscaping, the colour and finish of the decking, and disabled access.