Food trailer café at Pittville Pump Room, Cheltenham

The site

The site is beside a Grade I listed pump room in a registered park, local green space and conservation area.

“Constraints: Conservation Area Central Conservation Area Listed Buildings Grade 1 Principal Urban Area…”

Officer report

The officer recommendation

The officer recommended approval because public benefits outweighed less-than-substantial heritage harm during the temporary period.

“Whilst all of the above public benefits are duly noted, the requirement of paragraph 215 requires these benefits to be weighed against any harm to the designated heritage assets. This is discussed in the next section of this report.”

“CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION 7.1 It is quite clear that from a heritage perspective the proposed siting of a food vehicle/trailer and the retention of the associated ancillary buildings, as proposed, is harmful to the designated heritage assets, in particular the setting of the Grade I listed Pittville Pump Rooms. As such, the proposal fails to comply with the relevant policies in this regard.”

Officer report

Residents' views

Ten objections cited heritage, design, trees, amenity, noise, pollution, visual impact and the lack of a permanent solution; one response supported the café.

“PUBLICITY AND REPRESENTATIONS Number of letters sent 31 Total comments received 11 Number of objections 10 Number of supporting 1 General comment 0”

“Objections • Impact on the designated heritage assets • Lack of a need for further café facilities in this location • Lack of detail with regards to a permanent solution • Impact on trees • Impact on neighbouring amenity – noise and pollution • Visual impact…”

Officer report

Public speakers

There were no public speakers at the meeting.

The decision

The committee permitted the application by six votes to one, with one abstention, subject to conditions.

“The planning officer presented the application as set out in the report, with a recommendation to permit, subject to conditions.”

“- he could not say what type of food trailer would be permitted at the site, and some would clearly be considered inappropriate in this setting, but could confirm that the conservation officer will need to see the details before the food trailer is agreed; - it would not be appropriate for the discharge of conditions application, with regard to the trailer details and implementation of cladding works, to come back to Planning Committee for review, as this function lies with…”

Minutes

Main conditions

The structures must be removed by October 2028, with limits on trailer size, operating periods, cladding, customer service, deliveries and servicing.

“The food trailer/structures hereby permitted and listed below shall be removed from the site and the land restored to its former condition on or before 31st October 2028.”

“1st January 2026 - 31st October 2026 1st April 2027 - 31st October 2027 1st April 2028 - 31st October 2028”

Officer report