Agenda item

Use of interior and exterior curtilage of Greencroft indoor shops for the holding of occasional seasonal events

The Committee considered a report of the Senior Planning Officer which recommended refusal of the application for the use of interior and exterior curtilage of Greencroft indoor shops for the holding of occasional seasonal events at Field House, West Road, Annfield Plain (for copy see file of Minutes).

The Senior Planning Officer provided a detailed presentation of the application which included a site plan, and site photographs.

Councillor Joan Nicholson addressed the Committee as local member and stated that several residents had asked her to speak against the application on exactly the grounds set out by the Planning Officer. Problems of traffic, parking and perceived noise which residents felt would occur from these events were of great concern. There were a number of bungalows occupied by elderly residents beside Field House and a number of family homes. All these residents had said that noise and traffic were their biggest concerns.

Councillor Christine Bell, local Member agreed with Councillor Nicholson and said that a number of people had complained. Local Members had looked at ways of helping these events to take place but unfortunately it had not been possible, and she had to agree with residents.

Mr Timothy Turner stated that he and his business partner, both ex-military, had started a car wash business. They had held a Halloween scare wash which had upset residents due to the traffic queues. They had apologised and given the Councillors their word that it would not happen again. To combat this the event would be ticket only with a limit on six cars in the car park with more in a field to the rear which would be marshalled. He acknowledged that parking was a problemin the area but this was caused by the garage, not the car wash.

The applicant stated that he and his partner did a lot for the community, and with the support of local businesses had set up soup kitchens, provided free bread and milk to residents during lockdown and held Easter and Christmas events, together with a school charity event.  Twenty-eight letters of support had been received from local residents, although he had not submitted these to the Planning Authority in advance of the meeting.

He noted that anti-social behaviour had been raised. He and his business partner had stopped anti-social behaviour in the area; they had built a communal seating area to the left of the site for young people to use and they had recently stopped a group of youths vandalising the bus shelter to the right of the site.

Referring to the issue of noise, Timothy Turner stated that soft background music would be played at both the Halloween and Christmas events. These were ticketed events, the Christmas event would be two families at a time, with three or four cars maximum.

He considered that they had been viewed unfairly, and had never had a complaint delivered to themselves directly.

Councillor Simon Wilson stated that he was in no doubt that what the applicant and his business partner did for the community was highly commendable, and what they had achieved was a credit to them. He felt that this was an application that needed more work to address the highways and noise issues raised, and with further discussions with Officers and the community he felt sure that it could be achieved. However as the application stood at present he was unable to support it.

Councillor Alex Watson agreed with Councillor Wilson; it was clear that the applicant was making every effort and his work was commendable, but that residents in particular should be satisfied with what was proposed, and the application required more work.

Councillor Watson moved and Councillor Wilson seconded refusal of the application.

Upon a vote being taken it was RESOLVED that the application be refused for the reasons outlined in the report.