Agenda item

To receive and consider the attached report of the Chief Planning Officer regarding an application for the change of use from supermarket (A1) to church and community centre (D1)

The report of the Chief Planning Officer presented an application for thr change of use from a supermarket (A1) to church and community centre (D1) at Lowry Road, West Ardsley.

Members attended a site visit prior to the meeting and site plans and photographs were displayed and referred to throughout the discussion on this application.

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

·  Access arrangements including pedestrian access.

·  Hours of operation applied for were from 10.00 a.m. to 10.00 p.m. every day of the week.

·  The church had a congregation of 25 to 30 and it was also planned to use the premises for community use.

·  Representations received had shown concerns regarding traffic, noise, parking and ant-social behaviour at the site.

·  It was not anticipated that the intensity of the use of the site would increase.

·  It was felt that there was sufficient car parking at the site.

·  The application was recommended for approval.

A local resident addressed the Panel with concerns regarding the application.  These included the following:

·  Car parking spaces – the nursery owned the car park and the rights for use could be withdrawn.  This would lead to parking on Heatherdale Road which could be dangerous.

·  The loss of a retail facility was damaging to the area and people without access to cars.

·  Losing the option for a retail facility would also see the loss of employment opportunities.

·  The church attracted a congregation from outside the area and this would lead to an increase in traffic.

·  In response to questions from Members the following was discussed:

o  The shop opening hours were 8.00 a.m. to 9.00 p.m.

o  The parent company of the nursery held the rights for car parking and the applicant had no formal rights.

o  It would be preferred to have another retail unit at the site.

The applicant addressed the Panel.  Issues highlighted included the following:

·  The church wanted to serve the needs of the community and would welcome opportunity to discuss this with local residents.

·  There had been discussions with the nursery regarding the proposals and it was hoped the church and nursery would be able to work together.

·  The opening hours would not be fuly utilised as applied for but gave an option for flexibility.

·  The church wanted to engage young people and address concerns relating to anti-social behaviour.

·  The church had 25 regularly attending members and 16 of these came from 4 families.  It was not felt that this would cause any problems with traffic or parking.

·  In response to questions from Members, the following was discussed:

o  The church wanted to engage with the community and use the premises for things such as youth groups, coffee mornings and mums and tots groups.

o  The applicant had not yet consulted the local community.

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

·  Potential use of the service area for car parking.

·  Clarification of parking rights – the nursery currently had 5 spaces exclusively for their use.

·  It was not felt that a retail use would be viable due to the location of the building and the lack of passing trade.

RESOLVED