Agenda item

180666 - Change of use of Unit 7 (ground and first floor) from a cinema (Use Class D2) to retail (Use Class A1) and 180667 - Extension of existing mezzanine floor in Unit 7 to be used for retail purposes (Use Class A1) – SOVEREIGN.

Mr Wilks addressed the committee on behalf of the applicant stating that smaller units would increase the varied offer for patrons, and the units would not impact on the town centre retail offer.  He further stated that they would be filled by companies that would not wish to occupy a town centre location.

The committee was advised, by way of an addendum report, that the applicants had reviewed the conditions attached to the report and had requested amendments to the attached conditions.  The committee considered the amendments and felt that it was important to retain larger units given that the existing smaller unit – formally Blockbusters – close to the application site had remained vacant.

Resolved: (Unanimous) That delegated authority be granted to the Interim Head of Planning to amend condition 4 (prior to the issue of the decision notice) as necessary to ensure it does not prevent the sub-division of the site into 2 units and that otherwise permission be granted subject to the following conditions:

1. The development hereby permitted shall be commenced before the expiration of three years from the date of this permission.

2. The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved drawings:-

2051 URB U7 [08] 00 01 Revision D00;

2051 URB U7 [08] 00 05 Revision D00;

2051 URB U7 [08] 10 02 Revision D00;

Travel Plan produced by Motion and dated 09/10/2018;

3. Upon the occupation / commencement of use, the applicant shall implement the measures incorporated within the approved travel plan.  The applicant shall thereafter monitor report and subsequently revise the travel plan as specified within the approved document.

4. The approved retail unit shall not be subdivided to create a unit with a floor space of less than 1500 m².

5. Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning Use Classes Order, the retail use hereby approved shall not be permitted to sell to any extent (other than ancillary) any items from the following list unless the end user has been named and agreed in writing by the Local Planning Authority:-

• Fashion (clothing)
• Footwear
• Sportswear
• Children’s wear
• Toys
• Food (falling within Use Class A1)

6. The unit(s) shall not be open to customers outside of the following times:

08:00 – 20:00 Mondays to Saturdays

10:30 – 16:30 Sundays and Bank Holidays

7. No part of the development shall be occupied until covered and secure cycle parking spaces have been provided in accordance with plans and details submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority. The quantum provided must meet or exceed the ratio of 10 short term spaces, plus 1 long-term space for every 10 full-time staff member. The area[s] shall thereafter be retained for that use and shall not be used other than for the parking of cycles.