Family entertainment centre at Trinity Church, 26 Castle Street, Rothesay

“Reference No: 25/01690/PP Planning Hierarchy: Local Application Applicant: [the applicant]: Change of Use and Conversion of Existing Church and Detached Rear Hall to Form a Family Entertainment Activity Centre Including Erection of Single Storey Link Extension and Associated Works Site Address: Trinity Church, 26 Castle Street, Rothesay, Isle of Bute PA20 9HA”

“Change of use and conversion of existing church and detached rear hall to form a family entertainment activity centre • Erection of single storey extension linking church and detached rear hall • Formation of an outdoor play area on land to the rear of the hall • Formation of a covered terrace on the south-facing elevation of the rear hall • Provision of secure bike storage behind front boundary walls…”

“Listed Building Consent (ref: 03/00509/LIB) and Planning Permission (ref: 03/00512/DET) were granted on 18 th June and 2 nd June 2003 respectively for alterations to the pews and choir floor area within the church and the formation of an emergency exit ramp at the side door on the east-facing elevation.”

“Advertisement Consent (ref: 11/01450/ADV) was granted on 17 th October 2011 for the erection of a freestanding illuminated notice board in the front curtilage of the church.”

“The application does not meet the parking standards set out within Policy 40 of the Council’s Local Development Plan 2. The proposed development requires at least 29 off-road parking bays to be provided and this has been shown to be unachievable…”

“It is considered that neither the nearest local public car parks nor the streets surrounding the application property are able to accommodate the increase in demand for parking that would result from the proposed development. On this basis, concern is expressed that the impact arising from the lack of parking provision would adversely impact road safety, traffic management and parking within Rothesay…”

“This application is before the Committee for consideration due to a recommendation submitted by the Council’s Roads Department that planning permission be refused on the grounds of a lack of parking spaces and the resultant impact of this on road safety, traffic management and parking within Rothesay. It is the Planning Department’s opinion that there are mitigating circumstances such that an approval can be justified as a minor departure to Development Plan policy.”

“It was recommended that planning permission be granted as minor departure to Local Development Plan 2 subject to the conditions, reasons and informative notes set out in the report of handling.”