Adult gaming centre at 4-5 Market Road, Chichester

What was proposed

The application sought to change the ground floor from a public house to an adult gaming centre, with associated first-floor offices and no external changes.

“The proposal seeks planning permission for the change of use of the ground floor from Public House (sui generis) to Adult Gaming Centre (sui generis) and associated office use on the first floor. The site has been vacant for a number of years and the proposed use as a leisure facility is appropriate in this sustainable location. The proposal is acceptable in regard to impact on the Conservation Area and impact on neighbouring properties amenity.”

“The proposal is to change of use of the Public House (sui generis) to Adult Gaming Centre (sui generis). The adult gaming centre would be located on the ground floor and the first floor would be office space associated with this use.”

Officer report

The site

The site was a former public house in a secondary shopping area within the settlement boundary and conservation area, near shops, restaurants, housing and a car park.

“The application site is located on the western side of Market Road, within a secondary shopping area, within the Chichester Settlement Boundary Area and Chichester Conservation Area.”

“The site is a public house, previously called The Bull Inn. The site is adjacent to one of the main roads leading through Chichester. There is a large car park to the east and a mix of restaurants, retail, public houses and residential properties within the surrounding area.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the use would bring a long-vacant building back into use and would not harm the conservation area or neighbouring properties.

“The application site is in a prominent position within the Chichester Conservation Area. The Chichester Conservation Area Character Appraisal advises that the application site is within Area 5 where the buildings are mainly shops and other commercial uses of varied…”

“Based on the preceding assessment it is considered that the proposed change of use would contribute to the vitality and viability of the city centre by bringing a vacant commercial building back into a use that can be supported in this area. The proposal would not result in harm to the designated heritage asset or to neighbouring properties amenity.”

Officer report

Consultation responses

The parish council and a conservation advisory body objected, while environmental protection and economic development officers raised no objections.

“The Chichester City Council objects to the proposal and would raise the following issues: o There are limited public benefits to the proposal, which include the use of the empty building. This would not outweigh the significant harm to the character of the Conservation Area of breakout noise of gambling machines. o External lighting may harm the character of the Conservation Area, details must be submitted and approved at this stage.”

“CDC Economic Development The Economic Development Service has no objections to this application. Whilst this type of activity may not appeal to everyone, at present the city centre has a limited evening and night-time economy so this venue would be an addition to the existing offer.”

Officer report

Who spoke

The agent and a representative of Chichester City Council made representations to the committee.

Members’ questions

Members discussed noise mitigation, operating hours and the separate licensing process; officers referred to the noise assessment and proposed conditions.

“Responding to concerns of noise mitigation; [name withheld] explained it would not be reasonable to include a condition that prevented doors from being kept open. He confirmed the Environmental Health team had undertaken an assessment and deemed no noise mitigation was required.”

“On the matter of licensing; [name withheld] explained the Licensing process was separate to the Planning process. [name withheld] further clarified the difference between the licensing and planning process.”

Minutes

The vote

The committee voted by show of hands to support the officer recommendation to permit the application.

“Following a vote by show of hands, the Committee agreed to support the report recommendation to permit.”

Minutes

The decision

The application was permitted subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.

“Resolved; Permit; subject to the conditions and informatives set out in the report.”

Minutes