Brewery with taproom at Blue Monkey Brewing Limited, Giltbrook Industrial Park, Giltbrook

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission for a brewery, taproom, retail space, offices, outdoor seating and a food vendor.

“The application seeks planning permission for a retrospective change of use from B8 warehouse, showroom and distribution unit to B2 Brewery. The proposal includes an ancillary retail & taproom to the ground floor and first floor staff office space. The application also seeks permission for the siting of a food vendor and temporary seating to the front of the building.”

Officer report

The site

The site is a large industrial unit in an industrial park, formerly used for storage and distribution.

“The application site consists of a large industrial unit formerly split into two separate units. Unit 10 is the Blue Monkey brewery, B2 use, and unit 11 is subject to this application. Previously unit 11 was B8 use storage and distribution, prior to Blue Monkey operating from this unit. Both units are located within an existing industrial park with a mix of B2 and B8 uses. 3. Relevant Planning History…”

Officer report

Earlier application

An earlier application for the change of use was refused, while two older applications concerned employment, retail, highway and parking works.

“06/00896/FUL Erection of employment floorspace (Class B1, B2 & B8) and 14,004m² of retail floorspace (including 3,060m² at mezzanine level) (Class A1) and 454m² of customer refreshment floorspace (Class A1/A3) and 76m² of management/customer amenity use floor space and 783m² of play space (which may alternatively be used as retail under Part 2, Class E of the GPDO) (Class D2/A1), highway works and car parking provision. PERC”

“25/00210/FUL Change of use from B8 warehouse, showroom and distribution unit to B2 Brewery with Ancillary Shop & Tap Room. REF”

Officer report

Officers’ recommendation

Officers recommended approval because the taproom was subordinate to brewing, the employment site policy was met, and conditions addressed amenity and highway concerns.

“Planning Committee 18 March 2026 6.2 A previous application (ref. 25/00210/FUL) was refused due to the lack of information to satisfy the requirements of the NPPF in terms of the sequential test. Prior to the submission of this latest application, discussions were held between officers and the agent/applicant to try to overcome the previous reason for refusal.”

“Amenity 6.11 Policy 10 of the Aligned Core Strategy states that the impact of a development on neighbour amenity will be a consideration. Policy 17 of the Part 2 Local Plan 2019 states that any development should not cause an unacceptable loss of amenity for the occupiers of neighbouring properties. The site is located within an existing industrial estate with the nearest residential property being over 100m away.”

Officer report

Public representations

A resident comment and a supportive statement from the applicant were submitted as late items.

“There were late items comprising a resident comment in support of the application, an amended proposed site plan with amended conditions, and a supportive statement submitted by the applicant.”

Minutes

Public speakers

There were no public speakers for the application.

Committee discussion

Members discussed the site, parking, goods storage, opening hours, taproom status, music and several conditions before amending conditions.

“The Committee gave consideration to the representations before it, with debate covering the appropriateness of the site for the development, conditions concerning parking, parking spaces being used for goods storage, and opening hours. Conditions relating to its status as a taproom, playing music were, and conditions 3, 4 and 5 were also discussed.”

“Following discussion, the Committee amended several of the conditions.”

Minutes

The decision

The committee approved permission subject to amended conditions covering parking, plans, opening hours, music, the catering vehicle and deliveries.

“RESOLVED that planning permission be approved subject to the following conditions, as amended:”

“No deliveries, commercial loading, unloading or servicing, nor vehicle activities associated therewith shall take place except between hours 07.30am and 10pm Mondays to Saturdays, and 9am and 6pm Sundays.”

Minutes