Wine bar and entertainment space at Railway Arch 11 and 12, Victoria Business Centre, Neilston Street, Leamington Spa

What was proposed

The application sought to change two industrial units into a wine bar and entertainment space, with external seating and frontage alterations.

“Railway Arch 11 and 12, Victoria Business Centre, Neilston Street, Royal Leamington Spa, CV31 2AZ Change of use from light industrial to a wine bar and entertainment space (Sui Generis) together with alterations to frontages (Part retrospective). FOR Charlie Victor Limited ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------”

“The proposal seeks a change of use from light industrial to a wine bar and entertainment space (Sui Generis). The application site includes two industrial units (11 and 12). Unit 12 is currently occupied and being used as a bar and entertainment space (without the benefit of planning permission) and Unit 11 is currently vacant with previous light industrial uses being ceased.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The units are railway arches in Victoria Business Centre, near businesses, an active railway line and residential properties, within the town-centre boundary.

“The application site relates to two adjacent business units (Units 11 and 12) located within the railway arches in Victoria Business Centre, in Royal Leamington Spa. A number of the railway arches are now occupied by various businesses including a gym and microbrewery, and most recently a café and pizzeria have been opened in the units opposite (Nos. 18 and 19 respectively).”

“The units form part of a historic former railway line, but adjacent to an operational active railway line into Leamington Spa.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

The most recent recorded application was granted in 1984 for continued light industrial use, with no relevant planning history of note.

“The site has various historic planning records with regard to its previous uses, with the most recent application W/83/1247 for continued light industrial use granted in December 1984. There is no planning history of note relevant to the consideration of this application.”

Officer report

Noise and neighbouring homes

A revised noise assessment supported mitigation measures, customer-hour limits and a 22:30 external-seating curfew to protect nearby residents.

“A condition is recommended to ensure the proposed noise mitigation scheme is implemented in accordance with the recommendations set out in the Noise Impact Assessment. This is considered necessary to protect the impact on amenity to neighbours. It can be noted that the noise mitigation scheme is not yet…”

“Officers consider a curfew of 22:30 for the use of the external seating to be appropriate. It is noted that other premises within the town centre have longer outdoor operational seating areas permitted. However, in this instance, Neilston Street is a former light industrial use on the outskirts of the town centre. The units are small and whilst hours of operation were not limited by planning condition, they would not have typically operated in the evening or night times.”

Officer report

Consultees and public views

The Town Council and consultees raised no objections, while six objections cited noise, activity, air quality, health, parking and traffic concerns.

“Amenity concerns/noise impacts • Night-time economy and footfall • Air quality and public health exposure • Parking and traffic…”

Officer report

Support for the proposal

Three hundred and seventy-two support comments cited regeneration, cultural and community benefits, the local economy and support for an independent business.

“Regeneration of empty units • Cultural benefits to community and contributions to local economy Support of independent business…”

Officer report

Who spoke at the meeting

An objector and a supporter addressed the committee.

Committee consideration

The committee considered the report, the Addendum and representations made at the meeting before deciding the application.

“An Addendum circulated prior to the meeting advised of a further consultation response from Environmental Health, eight further public support comments, and one further objection comment.”

“Following consideration of the report, presentation, information contained in the Addendum, and the representations made at the meeting, it was proposed by Councillor B Gifford and seconded by Councillor Phillips that the application should be granted.”

Minutes

The decision

Permission was granted subject to conditions controlling the approved details, noise mitigation, external amplification, customer hours and outdoor seating.

“(3) the development hereby permitted shall not be used until noise mitigation measures have been completed in full accordance with the following approved details: • noise impact assessment report prepared by Sound Licensing Limited (dated 8th June 2026, Revision 2.0) thereafter those measures shall be maintained in accordance with the aforementioned details in perpetuity.”

Minutes