Restaurant alterations at 176-178 Allerton Road, Liverpool

The site and its use

The former bank has a lawful commercial use, and officers considered the proposed restaurant with seating and ancillary takeaway function to remain within that use.

“The application site, formerly occupied by Barclays Bank, has a lawful use within Use Class E (Commercial, Business and Service), which includes uses such as retail, financial services and restaurants.”

“A significant proportion of objections received relate to the perceived change of use to a hot food takeaway (Use Class Sui Generis). However, the Local Planning Authority (LPA) considers the proposed use to be a restaurant with ancillary takeaway function, based on the internal layout and provision of some 50 covers of seating. Therefore, the use of the premises as a KFC restaurant does not constitute a material change of use requiring planning permission.”

Officer report

Earlier permissions

Earlier permissions covered illuminated signs and relocating an automatic cash dispenser with an external access ramp.

“Relevant Site History 25A/2144 To display 5 no. non-illuminated vinyl signs; 2 no. externally illuminated sign; 2 no. internally illuminated projecting/hanging sign; 1 no. internally illuminated sign – Approved with Conditions…”

“03F/2451 To relocate automatic cash dispense on side elevation & erect external access ramp – Approved with Conditions…”

Officer report

Professional consultation

Highways raised no objections, while Environmental Health accepted the proposals subject to controls on plant noise and kitchen extraction.

“The loss of the single parking space to make way for the secure bin storage is also accepted by Highways and is unlikely to cause any significant traffic impact due to the reduction in available parking within the car park. On that basis there are no objections to the proposals.”

“Environmental Health (Noise) No objections subject to conditions in relation to noise from any plant or equipment must not exceed the existing background noise level at the nearest sensitive property, assessed in accordance with BS4142:2014 and that the kitchen extraction system must be regularly cleaned, serviced, and maintained as per the manufacturer's guidance to prevent noise and odour nuisance.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A councillor addressed the committee against the application after the case officer explained that the proposal concerned physical alterations and rear plant.

The committee discussion

The case officer explained the delivery door’s possible amenity, pedestrian and highway effects, and the application remained recommended for approval.

“The Planning Case Officer outlined the application and reminded the Committee that the application for consideration, is for the physical external alterations to the building and the plant to the rear. The Officer expanded on the issue relating to the location of the delivery door and its wider impacts in relation to amenity, pedestrian and highway safety. _____”

“On the basis of the Case Officer assessment, the application was recommended for approval. _____”

Minutes

The decision

The application was approved subject to the conditions proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control.

“That the Application be approved, subject Conditions as proposed by the Director of Planning and Building Control.”

Minutes