Hot food takeaway at 19b Fountain Street, Antrim

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission to change a shop into a hot food takeaway.

“PROPOSAL Retrospective change of use from Class Al shop to sui generis hot food takeaway…”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The site is a mid-terrace building in Antrim town centre’s Eastern Sector Conservation Area, surrounded by mixed residential and commercial uses.

“The application site is located at No. 19b Fountain Street, Antrim which lies within the ‘Eastern Sector’ of the Antrim Conservation Area and within the development limits of Antrim as defined within the Antrim Area Plan 1984-2001. The application site lies within the town centre and outside of the retail core as defined within the Antrim Area Plan 1984-2001.”

“The surrounding area is predominantly a mixed-use area typical of the town centre location, consisting of residential, commercial and financial uses. In the immediate vicinity there are a number of hot food takeaways, barbers and beauticians and a corner store.”

Officer report

Officers recommended refusal

Officers recommended refusal because retail viability and the effect of another takeaway on the town centre had not been demonstrated, and noise impacts remained unresolved.

“The thrust of the SPPS (para 6.270) is to promote town centres as the primary location for retailing and other complementary functions. Para 6.271 of the SPPS further reiterates this point, stating that the regional objective for towns and retailing is to secure a town centre first approach for the location of future retailing and other main town centres uses.”

“Whilst a hot food takeaway is considered to be town centre use, Policy DM 6.2 states that proposals that would result in the loss of a retail unit, will only be permitted where it is demonstrated that the retail Use is no longer viable and evidence is submitted to support the unviability of the retail unit.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

Conservation, historic environment, roads and water consultees had no objections, while environmental health sought further information.

“Council's Conservation Section- No objection Environmental Health Section- Further Information Required Historic Environment Division- No objection…”

Officer report

Neighbouring views

Twelve neighbouring properties were notified and no letters of representation were received.

“Twelve (12) neighboring properties were notified of the proposal and no letters of representation have been received.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent addressed the committee in support of the application and answered members’ questions.

The committee vote

A motion to refuse was proposed and seconded, then passed with six votes for, two against and one abstention.

“Proposed by Councillor Foster Seconded by Councillor Bennington that planning permission be refused.”

“On the proposal being put to the meeting 6 Members voted in favour, 2 against and 1 abstention, it was agreed…”

Minutes

The decision

Planning permission was refused because retail loss and harmful non-retail concentration were not justified, and noise impacts on nearby residents were not demonstrated acceptable.

“The proposal is contrary to Policy DM 6.2 of the ANPS in that it has not been demonstrated that the retail use of the unit to be lost is no longer viable and it has not been demonstrated that the proposal will not result in a concentration of non-retail uses that would be harmful to the shopping function of Antrim Town Centre.”

“The proposal is contrary to the policy provision of the SPPS and Policy DM 6.3 and DM 28 of ANPS in that it has not been demonstrated that the proposal will not have an adverse impact on the amenity of nearby residents through increased noise generation.”

Minutes