Micro-pub amendments at Salvington Hill Stores, Worthing

What was proposed

The application sought extended hours, indoor television and acoustic music, pre-prepared food, canopies, external seating and mobile food van parking.

“The proposed amendments include, extended opening hours, the provision of live acoustic music and use of a television within the premises, pre-prepared food provision, updated parking layout to allow parking for mobile catering vans within the forecourt, a proposed new canopy over the external seating area, and retrospective consent for the retention of a canopy over the part of the existing external seating licensed area.”

“For the micro-pub and village shop: 1 additional hour (from 10pm to 11pm) on Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 3 additional hours (from 6pm to 9pm) on Sundays and bank holidays. For the hairdressers/barbershop: 1 additional hour and a half (from 5.30pm to 7pm) Monday to Friday, 1 additional hour (from 4pm to 5pm) on Saturday and new opening hours between 8.30am and 5pm on Sunday.”

Officer report

Site and planning history

The mixed-use premises occupies a corner site in the built-up area, with a micro-pub, village shop, hairdressers and nearby homes.

“Site and Surroundings The site is located on a corner plot at the top of Salvington Hill and at the junction with Furze Road and Honeysuckle Lane. The site is within the built up area boundary for Worthing. The building is not within a conservation area and is not a listed building. There are no protected trees on site. The South Downs National Park lies approximately 244m to the west of the site.”

“The proposed TV broadcast would be limited to within the premises only, with doors and windows shut and subject to a noise limit of 75dB. Parking layout The provision of designated parking for a mobile food van on the forecourt of the site involves a change to condition 3 of the original planning application which required parking to be retained as per the approved plan.”

Officer report

What people said

Supporters described a valued community hub and local service, while objectors cited noise, parking, food vans, smells, existing breaches and harm to residential life.

“Parking and Highway Safety • Insufficient parking for customers forces them to park on the road, hindering parking for residents. • 4 parking spaces wholly inadequate and would be exacerbated by additional opening hours and facilities and by the occupation of the designated parking spaces by various mobile caterers. • Food vans reduce on-site parking capacity, forcing overspill parking into residential streets.”

“Food Vans • Food vans operate several nights a week, producing unpleasant cooking smells and noise. • Engines and generators left running add to noise and fumes. • Food preparation on-site breaches original planning conditions. • Primary cooking is undertaken from these units, and the smells from these vans are considerably more intrusive to neighbouring properties than food preparation carried out in an indoor kitchen.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Two nearby residents spoke against the application, while the applicant and two patrons who were nearby residents spoke in support.

Members’ discussion

Members considered that community support outweighed concerns and noted that parking was not entirely attributable to the premises, while alternative transport would help.

“During debate Members recognised that a large number of the nearby community were supportive of the application and felt that this outweighed those who had issues with noise, cooking odour and parking. The committee considered that the parking issues could not be entirely attributed to the premises but felt that encouraging patrons to use forms of transport other than cars would be greatly beneficial.”

Minutes

The committee vote

Members unanimously supported the officer recommendation, with an added condition requiring adherence to the Noise Management Plan.

“A proposal was put forward to accept the Officers recommendation and approve the application with an added condition prescribing adherence to the Noise Management Plan. This was seconded and voted in favour of unanimously.”

Minutes

The decision and conditions

The application was approved with the recommended conditions, a new Noise Management Plan condition and advice encouraging cycling and walking.

“Decision - Approved as recommendation, including new condition 15 for adherence to the Noise Management Plan and an informative to be added advising the applicant to encourage promotion of cycling and travelling on foot. Also to highlight the requirements of conditions in relation to management of noise and use of outdoor space [condition 6 - 11 & 13 -15]”

“Approved Plans 2. Left Blank - (previously approved time limit) 3. Car parking retained (including for mobile food van) 4. Opening Hours (as extended) 5. Micro-pub and retail use only - no use as general drinking establishment 6. Background music, TV noise limit 7. Open drinks only within designated areas 8. Signage to leave quietly 9. Doors/windows shut from 9pm and during live music and TV broadcasts 10. No fruit/gaming machines, TV broadcast inside only 11.”

Minutes