Convenience retail store at 149 Fitzwilliam Street, Swinton

What was proposed

The application proposed changing the ground floor of a former public house into a convenience retail store, with a new shopfront, bollards and rear garden.

“RB2026/0529 https://rotherham.planportal.co.uk/?id=RB2026/0529 Proposal and Location Change of use of ground floor of existing public house to a convenience retail store (Use Class E), including installation of new shop frontage and the provision of bollards to the pavement at the front of the building at 149 Fitzwilliam Street, Swinton Recommendation Grant Conditionally…”

“The application is for the change of use of the former public house to 1No. retail unit. Apart from an alteration of fenestration at the ground floor front elevation to provide a shop front appearance, no other external parts of the building are proposed to be altered. To prevent parking on the pavement and potential criminal activity from targeting the proposed retail unit, bollards are proposed at the front of the building.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The detached building stands south of the town centre among established homes, with a local shop and hairdressers nearby.

“The application site is located on the eastern side of Fitzwilliam Street to the south of Swinton Town Centre and was previously a public house known as The Sportsman.”

“The application site comprises of a detached building with a mock Tudor external appearance. The general character of the surroundings comprises of established residential properties, though immediately to the west of the site is a local shop and a hairdressers.”

Officer report

Earlier applications

Earlier proposals included a withdrawn mixed-use scheme, a refused convenience store application, approved signs and refused apartments.

“RB2020/1476 – Conversion and change of use of existing PH into 2No. units comprising of 1No. convenience store and 1No. hot food takeaway – WITHDRAWN”

“RB2021/1075 – Change of use of existing PH to convenience store (use class E) and associated parking – REFUSED”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Transportation and Environmental Health raised no objections subject to conditions, while 47 objection letters and a 154-signature petition were received.

“The application has been advertised by way of a site notice along with individual neighbour notification letters to adjacent properties. A total of 47 letters of objection has been received along with a petition containing 154 signatures objecting to the proposal.”

“RMBC – Environmental Health: No objections subject to conditions.”

Officer report

What people raised

Objections covered parking, traffic, pedestrian safety, amenity, crime, litter, the nearby shop, overdevelopment and alternative residential use; one letter supported it.

“The proposed development would increase parking demand, delivery traffic as well as vehicle and pedestrian movement which could create safety risks to pedestrians including children and the elderly and put pressure on local infrastructure • It is located at a junction and on a busy road causing highway safety issues • There is a lack of parking space…”

“Adequate off-street parking or safe loading arrangements have not been demonstrated • Proposal is not in keeping with the existing residential setting • There is no need for another shop selling the same products as the shop next door • It would affect the business of the shop next door • Overdevelopment • Cars parked in front of the site would obstruct the bus stop and cause congestion • A bat survey should be undertaken prior to works commence • Suspicion that the shop…”

Officer report

Who asked to speak

The applicant and three members of the public requested the right to speak at the Planning Board.

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission for the application subject to the report’s relevant conditions, with amended opening hours.

“(2) That application RB2026/0529 be granted for the reasons adopted by Members at the meeting and subject to the relevant conditions listed in the submitted report and subject to an amendment to Condition No. 5 (opening hours) to now read:-”

“The use hereby permitted shall only be open to customers between the hours of 07:00 and 22:00 Mondays to Saturdays and 07:00 and 21:00 Sundays.”

Minutes