Agenda and minutes

Venue: Room 0.02, Quadrant, The Silverlink North, Cobalt Business Park, NE27 0BY (Due to Covid precautions anyone wishing to attend is asked to first notify the contact officer.)

Contact: Michael Robson  Email: democraticsupport@northtyneside.gov.uk

Items
No. Item

PQ22/21

Appointment of substitutes

To be informed of the appointment of any substitute members for the meeting.

Minutes:

Pursuant to the Council's Constitution the appointment of the following substitute members was reported:

Councillor W Lott for Councillor J Cruddas

PQ23/21

Declarations of Interest

You are invited to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests in matters appearing on the agenda, and the nature of that interest.

 

You are also requested to complete the Declarations of Interests card available at the meeting and return it to the Democratic Services Officer before leaving the meeting.

 

You are also invited to disclose any dispensation from the requirement to declare any registerable and/or non-registerable interests that have been granted to you in respect of any matters appearing on the agenda.

Minutes:

There were no declarations of interest or dispensations reported.

PQ24/21

Minutes pdf icon PDF 127 KB

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on 3 August 2021.

Minutes:

Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on 3 August 2021 be confirmed and signed by the Chair.

PQ25/21

Planning Officer Reports pdf icon PDF 36 KB

To receive the attached guidance to members in determining planning applications and to give consideration to the planning applications listed in the following agenda items.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee received guidance in relation to the principles of decision making when determining planning applications and then gave consideration to the planning applications listed in the following minutes.

 

PQ26/21

21/01029/FUL, Parking Bays Opposite 50 And 50B, Bell Street, North Shields pdf icon PDF 390 KB

To consider a full planning application from 55 Quay Limited for the proposed use of part of the parking area opposite The Quay Taphouse, River Cafe and Dodgins Yard, to be used as additional external seating for customers of these businesses.  External seating is to provide socially distanced amenity space, with portable toilet facilities (concealed by artificial hedging) and will feature a continuous roadside barrier and waiter/waitress table services.

Additional documents:

Minutes:

The Committee considered a report from the planning officers, together with an addendum circulated prior to the meeting, in relation to a full planning application from 55 Quay Limited for use of part of the parking area opposite the Quay Taphouse, River Café and Dodgins Yard, to be used as additional external seating for customers of these businesses. The external seating would provide socially distanced amenity space and would feature a roadside barrier and waiter/waitress table services.

 

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

 

In accordance with the Committee’s Speaking Rights Scheme, Mr Keith Powell of Bell Street, North Shields, had been granted permission to speak to the Committee. Mr Powell stated that as the Covid 19 restrictions had eased the premises had operated between 240 and 168 external seats on a temporary basis. The proposed permanent provision of an external seating area had scant regard to neighbouring residents and the safety of road users and had drawn objections from the Police and Environmental Health. Noise monitoring had indicated that the seating area would result in noise that would be difficult to manage and that this would have an adverse effect on the wellbeing of neighbouring residents and their right to family life. Mr Powell expressed his concerns regarding the safety of staff and the public crossing the road to and from the seating area. He stated that the premises had failed to implement one way systems and display signage and he explained how it would be difficult for staff to manage noise levels.

 

Mr Paul Sample of 55 Quay Limited addressed the Committee to respond to the Mr Powell’s comments. Mr Sample was accompanied by his agent Mr  Laurie and a representative from Wardell Armstrong. Mr Sample explained that 55 Quay Limited was a responsible business which was seeking to delicately balance the recovery its business and the amenity of neighbouring residents. The provision of external additional seating would satisfy customer’s changing expectations and was a vital part of the businesses’ recovery from lockdowns and falling revenues. The proposed seating area would be an attractive asset to the Fish Quay and had the support of local businesses and residents. The venue would be food led, activity would cease at 9.00pm and there would be no music. Mr Sample believed there was little evidence to demonstrate that the area would create a noise nuisance.

 

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

a)      location of the seating area in relation to Quay Taphouse, River Café and Dodgins Yard, the Western Quay and the River Tyne;

b)      location and quantity of car parking in the area;

c)       safety of staff, customers and road users and details of the risk assessment carried out by the applicants relating to the carrying of food across Bell Street from the premises to the seating area;

d)      alternative options  ...  view the full minutes text for item PQ26/21