Minutes:
115.1 Item 7A
Application DC/21/06315
Proposal Full Planning Application - Change of use of the Six Bells Inn Public House to Veterinary Practice and pet supplies (sui generis). Business proposed to exist on the ground floor level whilst retaining the existing first floor ancillary residential accommodation.
Site Location The Six Bells Inn, High Street, Gislingham, Suffolk IP23 8JD
Applicant Mr. A Whatling
115.2 Councillor Warboys declared himself as the Ward Member for this item and confirmed that he would not debate or vote on the application.
115.3 The Case Officer presented the application to the Committee outlining the proposal before Members including the location of the site, access to the site, the constraints, the proximity of the application to nearby listed buildings, the criteria required to approve change of use for a public house, a comparison to another local change of use for a public house application, and the officer recommendation for refusal.
115.4 The Case Officer responded to questions from Members on issues including: the comparison to another local change of use for a public house application and the policies that were met, and previous applications for change of use.
115.5 Members considered the representation from Jane Challis who spoke as the Parish Clerk.
115.6 The Parish Clerk responded to questions from Members on issues including: discussion within the Parish Council regarding a community owned pub.
115.7 Members considered the representation from Chris Pitt who spoke as an Objector.
115.8 The Objector responded to questions from Members on issues including: how long the public house has been up for sale, and what level the public house was marketed at.
115.9 Members considered the representation from Councillor Warboys who spoke as the Ward Member.
115.10 Members debated the application on issues including: supplementary planning guidance, the criteria required to approve change of use for a public house, the potential for a community owned pub, and the Six Bells’ status as the only public house in Gislingham.
115.11 Councillor Meyer proposed that the application be refused as detailed in the officer recommendation.
115.12 Councillor Stringer seconded the proposal.
By a unanimous vote
It was RESOLVED:
That the application is REFUSED planning permission for the following reason:
Notwithstanding the evidence submitted with the application it is considered that the use of the building as public house would provide a valued local facility which would support the needs of the residents and future residents of the village of Gislingham. It is not considered that the development would meet with policy statement 5.4 set out in the Retention of Shops, Post Offices and Public Houses in Villages SPG. No other public house is located within the village of Gislingham for alternative use by its residents, insufficient marketing has taken place to demonstrate that there is not an opportunity through selling the property to continue its use as a public house and no economic evidence has been submitted to show that the business could not viably operate from the site. Further, there is significant public interest in retaining a public house within the village of Gislingham.
On the basis of the above, it is considered that the proposed change of use would run contrary to the principles of paragraphs 84d) and 93a) and c) of the National Planning Policy Framework and contrary to the provisions of policy statement 5.4 set out in the Retention of Shops, Post Offices and Public Houses in Villages SPG.
Supporting documents: