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Agenda item
Shop and Premises, 40-41 Queens Road, Hastings (HS/FA/21/00443)
(L Fletcher, Planning Officer)
Minutes:
Proposal
Change of use of the ground floor unit of 40-41 Queens Road from a vacant pawnbrokers (E Class) to an Adult Gaming Centre (Sui Generis).
Application No
HS/FA/21/00443
Conservation Area
No
Listed Building
No
Public Consultation
Yes – 14 objections
Referred by Ward Councillor
The Planning Services Manager presented the application for a change of use of the ground floor unit of 40-41 Queens Road from a vacant pawnbrokers (E Class) to an Adult Gaming Centre (Sui Generis).
Slides and drawings were shown of the proposed ground floor plan. No external alterations are proposed. The proposed opening hours are 24 hours, seven days a week. Complimentary refreshments and teas and coffees will be served to customers, but no alcohol served on the premises. A noise survey is required and with implementation of measures required by the noise survey. Environmental Health have no objections to the application.
Councillor Rogers as the Ward Councillor addressed the Committee. Castle Ward one is in the top 10% of the most deprived wards in the whole country and the 2nd withthe highest violent crime record in Sussex. National Planning Policy Framework item 8, Paragraph 92 B planning policies and decisions, should aim to achieve healthy, inclusive and safe places which are safe and accessible, so that crime and disorder and the fear of crime do not undermine the quality of life or community cohesion well. Councillor Rogers argued that this is exactly what this application is going to do. The application is not with in the Town Centre and is in a mixed usage area with residential properties above either side and behind the application site. The application will not have a positive impact on the area or residents. Councillor Rogers urged the Committee to refuse the application.
Councillors asked the Planning Services Manager regarding the condition regarding patrons smoking outside the front of the application site. The Planning Services Manager agreed that the condition would be unenforceable and should be removed.
Councillors asked regarding gambling addiction and what the applicant would do regarding this. The Planning Services Manager highlighted the applicant has robust measures in place to ensure vulnerable people are protected. This includes staff training, customer supervision, monitoring, interaction, reviewing source of funds, providing self-help tools.
Councillor Beaver proposed refusal of the recommendation, seconded by Councillor Scott
The Planning Service Manager advised members that planning permission had been granted at appeal for a similar use at 11 Wellington Place and that any appeal against a refusal would likely be successful.
Refused (unanimously) for the following reason:-
The proposed development would create a level of noise and disturbance at late night and early morning that would be out of keeping with the quiet nature of the area at this time of day. As such the proposed development would be contrary to Policy DM6 of the Hastings Development Management Local Plan (2015). In addition, the proposal would result in a use type that would harmfully affect the more vulnerable residents of Hastings, specifically in respect of gambling and its negative impact on health and wellbeing contrary to Policy FA3 of the Hastings Planning Strategy (2014) and paragraph 130 of the National Planning Policy Framework, which seeks to ensure that decisions result in development that promotes health and wellbeing.
Note to the Applicant
You are advised:
1. Statement of positive engagement: In dealing with this application Hastings Borough Council has actively sought to work with the applicant in a positive and proactive manner, in accordance with paragraph 38 of the National Planning Policy Framework.
Supporting documents:
- MAP HS-FA-21-00443 40-41 Queens Road, item 326. PDF 546 KB
- HS-FA-21-00443 - Shop and Premises, 40-41 Queens Road, item 326. PDF 123 KB
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