Issue - meetings

To consider a full planning application from Mr Calvin Khass for the change of use from raised, grassed area to dining area for Scott & Wilson.

The Committee considered a report from the planning officers in relation to a full retrospective planning application from Calvin Khass for change of use from a raised grassed area to a dining area for Scott and Wilson, 1 Trevor Terrace, North Shields.

A planning officer presented details of the application with the aid of various maps, plans and photographs.

In accordance with the Committee’s Temporary Speaking Rights Scheme Georgia Graham of Seatonville Crescent and Peter Atkinson of Belford Terrace had been granted permission to submit a written statement to the Committee but no such statement had been received.

The local ward councillor, Councillor Cath Davis, had also been granted permission to submit a written statement and this was read to the Committee. Councillor Davis had spoken to local residents and had conducted a survey around the area. Most of the respondents were favourable about the use of the outside area, however there were concerns about a noticeable increase in parked cars in the area. It was suggested that safety could be enhanced with improvements to the surface of the dining area, its access ramp and the pavement between the bistro and the outside area. 

Calvin Khass on behalf of Scott & Wilson submitted a written statement to respond to Councillor Davis’ comments.  The use of the grassed area had followed the government’s advice on social distancing and the use of outside spaces. The Council had initially granted permission in February 2020 for the use of the grassed area but 4 months later the applicants had been made aware of the requirement for planning permission. Scott & Wilson had complied with all the relevant regulations and guidelines. It was a thriving business, providing employment to local people and supported by the local community. If it were unable to operate with the outside area in line with its licensable hours the business would be threatened with redundancies and bankruptcy.

Members of the Committee asked questions of officers and made comments. In doing so the Committee gave particular consideration to:

a)      the location, status and condition of the pavement between the bistro and the outside dining area;

b)      the improvements to the condition and appearance of the area; and

c)       the actions that could taken outside the planning process to improve the ramped access to the dining area.

Resolved that the application be permitted subject to the conditions set out in the planning officers report

(Reasons for decision: The Committee concluded that, having regard to the relevant policies contained in the Council’s Local Plan 2017 and National Planning Policy Framework, the proposed development was acceptable in terms of the principle of development and its impact on surrounding occupiers, the character and appearance of the area and highway safety.)