Agenda item

23/00511/FUL -Change of use to a mixed use venue and Public House.The Dodford Inn Public House, Whinfield Road, Dodford, Worcestershire, B61 9BG, Mr. B. Wyatt

Meeting of Planning Committee, Monday 3rd July 2023 6.00 p.m. (Item 16/23)

Minutes:

Officers clarified that the Application had been brought to the Planning Committee for consideration at the request of Councillor K. Taylor, Ward Councillor.

Officers presented the report and in doing so, informed the Committee that the application was for a change of use to a mixed use venue, as a Public House and events venue to hold Civil Ceremonies.

Officers drew Members’ attention to the additional comments received from Dodford with Grafton Parish Council; and the four additional Conditions as requested by Worcestershire County Council (WCC) Highways, as follows:-

Cycle parking

Electric vehicle charging point

Accessible parking provision, and

Motorcycle parking provision

as detailed in the published Committee Update, copies of which were provided to Members and published on the Council’s website prior to the commencement of the meeting.

Officers presented the presentation slides, as detailed on pages 162 to 166 of the main agenda report.

Officers referred to both the District Plan under Policy BDP15 Rural Renaissance and the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), section 6 which sought to promote strong rural economies through sustainable growth and expansion of all businesses throughout rural areas, as detailed on page 156 of the main agenda report. The applicant had put forward this application to help sustain the existing pub, since it’s closure during the Covid-19 pandemic.

No objections had been received from Worcestershire Regulatory Services (WRS) Noise. WCC Highways had raised no objections but had requested four additional Conditions, as referred to in the preamble above.

The proposal was considered appropriate development in the Green Belt, as detailed on page 156 of the main agenda report.

In conclusion the proposed use was of a similar nature to the existing use and was therefore not considered to cause any greater harm to the local community or local road network. In addition, the NPPF sought to promote strong rural economies, and for these reasons, officers were recommending approval.

At the invitation of the Charman, Mr. Myatt on behalf of the applicant addressed the Committee. Councillor R. Jennings, Chair of Dodford with Grafton Parish Council, addressed the Committee in objection to the application and the speech submitted by Councillor K. Taylor, Ward Councillor was read out by the Legal Advisor to the Planning Committee.

The Committee then considered the application, which officers had recommended be granted.

In response to questions from Members, officers clarified that Licensing were consulted with on the application, but no comments had been received. Officers referred to the current licensing restrictions on the premises and that there were other powers and statutory controls to deal with noise nuisance. Officers further reiterated that WRS had raised no objections due to noise and that no formal complaints had been received by WRS.

Officers stated that the site benefitted from Permitted Development Rights, Part 4, Class A, whereby temporary buildings and structures could be used within a site on a temporary basis. This would however not allow for a permanent marquee as that would require planning permission. Officers further highlighted on the presentation slide, as detailed on page 164 of the main agenda report, where any temporary marquees would be sited, which was away from most of the residential properties and could only be up for a short period of time.

In response to questions from the Committee in respect of the number of people attending future events (140), and suitable car parking facilities and the potential for overspill car parking on the lanes; the Highways Officer stated that this proposal did not fall within WCC, Streetscape Design Guide parking standards, and therefore officers had assessed it on the level of parking provided, which was appropriate and acceptable for the use the applicant had stated.

Members asked if a Travel Plan was included.

The Highways Officer stated that they were in agreement with a Travel Plan Condition being included and apologised for one not being included, it was important that the staff could get there sustainably.

Officers further clarified that such a Condition, as detailed in the preamble above, could be included should Members be minded to approve the application.

The Council’s Legal Advisor advised the Chairman that for clarity the Alternative Recommendation to include a Travel Plan Condition needed to be proposed and seconded.

On being put to the vote, it was

RESOVED that Planning Permission be granted subject to the following Conditions:-

1) The development to which this permission relates must be begun not later than the expiration of three years beginning with the date of the grant of this permission,

2) The development hereby approved shall be carried out in accordance with the following plans and drawings,

3) The inclusion of a Travel Plan,

4) Cycle Parking,

5) Electric vehicle charging point,

6) Accessible Parking Provision, and

7) Motorcycle Parking Provision.

Supporting documents: