Community hub at Mandarin Royale, Victoria Road, Holyhead

What was proposed

The application sought to change a former restaurant into a mixed-use community hub with youth, meeting, venue, kitchen and golf simulator facilities.

“Description: Full application for the change of use of the former restaurant (Use Class A3) into a mixed use community hub (Use Classes D1 and D2) at…”

“The application is made for the change of use of the site from an A3 hot food facility to a mixed use community hub under use classes D1 and D2. The scheme will provide a youth hub/meeting room/venue on the first floor, which the ground floor will provide kitchens along with a golf simulator. No external changes are proposed under the scheme and as such the scheme is purely for internal alterations and the material change of use of the building.”

Officer report

The site

The two-storey building is beside Victoria Road in Holyhead, within the town boundary, conservation area and flood risk zones.

“The site is located in the town of Holyhead and it's associated development boundary, occupying a roadside position beside Victoria Road. The site comprises of a 2 storey building which is of pitched slate roof construction with smooth rendered walls. The last known use of the site was as a restaurant serving Chinese food. It is noted the site is also located within the Holyhead Central Conservation area and also…”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding the proposal acceptable in principle, at flood risk, for residential amenity, ecology and highways.

“Flood Risk The scheme was submitted prior to the adoption of the updated TAN 15 and therefore the scheme is to be considered under the Development Advice Maps and the superseded TAN 15 as opposed to the new Flood Maps for Planning.”

“Residential Amenity Policy PCYFF 2 of the Joint Local Development Plan provides policy level protection for residential amenity as states proposals will be refused where they would have an unacceptable negative impact upon residential amenity.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Consultees requested or accepted conditions on drainage, flood risk and construction traffic, while no public objections were received.

“Consultee Response Iechyd yr Amgylchedd / Environmental Health Standard informatives regarding protection of environment, health and safety and food hygiene. Ymgynghorydd Treftadaeth / Heritage Advisor No response. Draenio / Drainage Highlighted the location of the site within Zones 2 and 3 of flood risk and noted that a flood consequence assessment is required.”

“Priffyrdd a Trafnidiaeth / Highways and Transportation Requested a condition that requires details of a construction traffic management plan to be presented prior to commencing works on site. Dwr Cymru Welsh Water Requested condition to prevent any surface water from being discharged into the public sewerage network.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A local councillor said the community hub should be welcomed for young people and the wider community.

The committee’s discussion

The committee considered the planning presentation and recommendation, and a councillor proposed approval with another councillor seconding it.

“He noted that the Planning Policy Unit has confirmed that the change of use should be considered under planning policy ISA 2 and the Local Planning Authority is satisfied that the principle of the change of use is acceptable and in accordance with the principles of planning policy ISA 2.”

“Councillor Jeff Evans proposed that the application be approved in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation. Councillor Roberts Ll Jones seconded the proposal of approval.”

Minutes

The vote and decision

The committee approved the application in accordance with the officer recommendation and the planning conditions in the report.

“It was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation subject to the planning conditions within the report…”

Minutes

Conditions attached

Approval included conditions covering approved plans, drainage, construction traffic, community hub use and operating hours.

“(02) The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in strict conformity with the details shown on the plans below, contained in the form of application and in any other documents accompanying such application unless included within any provision of the conditions of this planning permission.”

“(04) The commencement of the development shall not take place until there has been submitted to and approved in writing by the Local Planning Authority, a Construction Traffic Management Plan (CTMP). The CTMP shall include; (i) The routing to and from the site of construction vehicles, plant and deliveries.”

Officer report