Agenda item

Proposal Description: Item 8: Variation of condition 4 of planning application 14/02677/FUL relating to the extension of operating hours for unit F4

The application was introduced. Members were referred to the Update Sheet which set out in full the following:

(i)             The application was triggered to Planning Committee at the request of ward member, Councillor Vivian Achwal. Not due to the number of objections.

(ii)            An update to Condition 14 to read:

14. Unless approved in accordance with Condition 4 removable chairs, tables and associated paraphernalia only shall be placed outside in the location adjacent to the frontages of the ground floor units identified on the approved site plan. The chairs, tables and associated paraphernalia shall only be used for patrons of the ground floor units within the hours set out in Condition 2, namely 07.00 to 23.00 Monday to Saturday and 10.00 to 22.00 on Sundays and recognised public holidays except for units F6 and F7 which shall only be used between the hours of 07.00 to 23.00 Monday to Saturday and the hours of 10.00 to 22.30 on Sunday and recognised public holidays and Unit F4 which shall not be open to customers or patrons outside the hours of 08:00 to 00:00 Monday to Sunday and recognised public holidays, outside of which times they shall not be available to customers or patrons, being stacked and secured or stored to prevent their use. Outside of the operating hours detailed in Condition 2 tables and chairs shall be stored within the building hereby approved.

Reason: In the interests of nearby residential amenities.

During public participation, David Leslie and Councillor Mike Evans (Whiteley Town Council) spoke in objection to the application and Jamie Pyper spoke in support of the application and answered Members’ questions thereon.

A statement was read out by the Chairperson on behalf of the Ward Member, Councillor Vivian Achwal, as summarised below:

1.    Apologies for not attending due to a mayoral event. The council was not against businesses opening in the district, we actively encourage it, but this objection was to the proposed late opening hours. Serving alcohol until 2330 hours and closing hours at 0000hours.

2.    There were two other units in the same complex, Nandos and Bar and Block, that sold alcohol. However, both closed at 2200 hours. The nearest pub to the proposed Wetherspoons was the Parsons Collar (approximately 1 mile away) and that closed at 2300 hours.

3.    There are several homes within meters of this proposed drinking establishment. There was concern about the possible antisocial        behaviour that might occur if the pub was allowed to close at midnight.

4.    Whiteley Town Council also raised objection to the extension of the proposed opening hours.

5.    In conclusion, Councillor Achwal urged the committee to object the application to extend the opening hour until midnight to prevent public nuisance and keep the opening hours to no later than 2300 hours.

The Committee proceeded to ask questions and debate the application.

In response to questions, the Council’s Senior Planning and Litigation Lawyer clarified the planning and licensing regimes, emphasising that the premises licence could be called in for review by a Licensing Sub-Committee should there be any reported breaches to the four licensing objectives.

          RESOLVED:

                     The committee agreed to grant permission for the reasons and subject to the conditions set out in the Report and the      Update Sheet.