Minutes:
The consultation procedure undertaken was outlined in the report together with background information in respect of the site.
It was reported that since the report the Council had received an objection from Cheshire West and Chester Council as follows: -
a) The proposal, with appropriate landscaping to the car parking area, would not result in any harm to the openness of the Green Belt. PPS4 stated that ‘local planning authorities should take into account the importance of the shop, leisure facility or service to the local community to the economic base of the area, if the proposal would result in its loss or change of use, and refuse planning applications which failed to protect existing facilities which provided for peoples’ day to day needs’;
b) Whilst not an essential community facility, the public house was currently operating and is therefore a valuable social asset and its loss should be resisted;
c) There were no other public houses within easy walking distance of Dutton; and
d) Although the applicant stated the business was operating at a loss, the application does not detail what measures, if any, the applicant had introduced to increase local support.
It was also noted that a further four objections had been received from Runcorn residents commenting on the loss of the public house.
Mr Lynas addressed the Committee and spoke against the application reiterating points mentioned above, adding that the property was purchased as a public house without the option to change its use and requested the Committee to reject due to it being contrary to PPS4 and PPS7.
Mr Say, the applicant addressed the Committee in support of his application. He commented that he had owned the pub for the past 12 years and it had seen twelve previous owners to him, who had all experienced the same problems he was experiencing presently. He further stated that there were not enough people in the surrounding areas to support the viability of the pub and feared for the future of it, even with the efforts of the new tenants.
Councillor Roy Peters addressed the Committee on behalf of Preston Brook Parish Council objecting to the proposal, citing that it was contrary to PPS4, in particular policies EC6.2, EC7.1 and EC13.
Because the proposal would have led to the loss of a leisure facility, the Committee took into account the importance of the leisure facility to the local community. The Committee concluded that the existing use constituted an important leisure facility to the local community and that the proposal failed to protect an existing facility which provided for people’s day to day needs.
Following Members debate and consideration of the further comments made and amendments to the application, the Committee voted by a show of hands and it was noted that 6 members voted against the application and 2 voted for the application, therefore the application was refused.
RESOLVED: That the application be refused due to it being contrary to the advice
within PPS4, Policy EC13.1 (b).