Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the change of use of a restaurant (A3) with manager flat to first floor and external flue to rear

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for the change of use of a private members club to restaurant with manager flat to first floor and external flue to rear at 207 to 209 New Road Side, Horsforth.

Site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to during the discussion on this application.

Further issues highlighted in relation to the application included the following:

·  The application had initially been for 88 covers at the premises but this had been reduced to 60 based on car parking available.

·  There had been a recent approval to use the premises as a health centre.

·  Concerns had been made by local residents regarding access to the car park and potential for noise and disturbance.  It was reported that it had been agreed to have reduced opening hours until 10.00 p.m. to minimise any noise impact.

·  It had been agreed to extend the flue at the rear of the premises to minimise smells from the premises and this was in line with Defra guidelines.

·  Concern regarding surface water discharge – it was suggested that a condition be included to prevent this affecting residential properties.

·  Proposed improvements to bin storage area.

Two local residents addressed the Panel with concerns and objections to the application.  These included the following:

·  Access was via a single track that was used by neighbouring properties.

·  There was not sufficient parking to the number of covers that was proposed.

·  Concern regarding collection of bins and smell from refuse.

·  The immediate area was already saturated with restaurants.

·  Local residents would lose car parking spaces.

·  The approval for a Health Centre would be a better use of the building.

·  It was reported that the use of the premises as a private club had steadily declined since 1990 and there had been some previous noise disturbance from cars.

The applicant’s representative addressed the Panel.  Issues highlighted included the following:

·  The car parking arrangements were in line with requirements and some users would use alternative means of transport including public transport.

·  There would be new signage to the car park via the access road.

·  Due to the uneven surface of the access road, traffic would not be able to travel at speed.

·  The hours of opening would usually only be 5.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. Monday to Thursday and 12.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. on a weekend.

·  The flue would be installed by specialists and within guidelines.  Current extraction was via a ground floor window.

·  The restaurant would create two full time and four part time jobs.

In response to Members comments and questions, the following was discussed:

·  Parking on the highway would not be under the control of the restaurant.  Car parking was not considered to be an issue and the provision in place met guidelines based on the size of the premises.

·  It was anticipated that the restaurant would achieve 75% to 85% occupancy during opening hours.

·  Concern was expressed regarding the adequacy of the access road to the car park – it was reported that there was extant use of the access road.

·  It was suggested that Members had a site visit prior to making a decision on the application.

RESOLVED – That the application be deferred for one cycle to allow Members to attend a site visit.