Canopy seating hours at 96 Stoke Road, Guildford

“Location: Stoke Road, Guildford, GU1 4JN Proposal: Application under Section 73 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 to vary condition 2 (Under canopy use times) to amend the outside area under canopy use times, of planning permission reference 24/P/00639, approved on 19/06/2024, for the erection of a two canopies one fixed and one retractable over an existing eating area to the rear of the property. (Retrospective application)”

“The applicant wishes to increase the use of the external covered seating area from 15:00 until 21:30 Fridays and Saturdays and also open earlier in the morning on Saturdays from 08:00 - 07:30. The Sunday - Thursday, hours are unchanged from the original permission.”

“Site description. Stoke Road is a two storey mid terrace property with a small cafe at ground floor area and residential accommodation above. The site has a small area to the rear which is used as an external seating area for the ground floor cafe. This area is covered with canopies to enable further outdoor seating. The site lies in a row of terrace units which have commercial activity at ground floor and residential accommodation at first floor level.”

“24/P/00639 Erection of a two canopies one fixed and one retractable over an existing eating area to the rear of the property. (Retrospective application) Approve 20/06/2024 N/A”

“06/P/00289 Change of use from shop (Use Class A1) to restaurant (Use Class A3) & single storey rear extension with extractor flue sited adjoining northern flank wall. Approve 05/04/2006 N/A”

“The eating area underneath the canopies hereby approved shall not be open to customers outside the following times: 07:30 - 15:00 Monday to Thursday, 07:30 - 21:30:Friday and Saturdays and 09:00 - 15:00 Sundays and bank holidays…”

“Reason: To safeguard the residential amenities of the occupiers of the adjacent neighbouring properties.”

“Impact on the character of the area. The surrounding area has a mixture of uses including public houses and residential units. The property currently operates daytime only and the applicant wishes to extend this to the evening until 21:30 for two nights a week.”

“Impact on the residential amenities of the occupiers of adjacent neighbouring properties There are residential properties above site and adjacent the adjacent neighbouring properties. The proposed increased hours would have some impact on the amenity enjoyed by the occupiers of these properties, however, the increase in time would be limited to two evenings a week and would close at 21.30.”

“Internal consultees Head of Environmental Health and Licensing: No objection regarding revised opening hours…”

“The Committee received a presentation from the Development Management Specialist, who outlined the proposal. Members were advised that the extended use of the canopy area would not materially affect the character of the area and was not anticipated to result in additional amenity impacts. The use would remain limited in duration and would not continue late into the evening.”

“In debate, members noted that only one objection had been received, and acknowledged that there seemed to be no planning reason to object to the proposal.”

“The Chair moved the motion to approve application 25/P/00322, subject to the conditions and reasons as set out in the Officer’s report. The motion was seconded by Councillor Shaw and was carried.”

“FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN 1. Cllr Dominique Williams X 2. Cllr Stephen Hives X 3. Cllr Yves de Contades X 4. Cllr Maddy Redpath X 5. Cllr Joanne Shaw X 6. Cllr Richard Mills OBE X 7. Cllr Joss Bigmore X 8. Cllr Cait Taylor X 9. Cllr Bilal Akhtar X TOTALS 9 0 0”

“RESOLVED: That application 25/P/00322 be APPROVED, subject to the conditions and reasons as set out in the Officer’s report.”