Extended community hub hours at The Watering Hole, 14 Castle Street, Barnstaple

What was proposed

The application sought to extend the community hub’s opening hours to 8am–11pm every day by varying an existing condition.

“This is a S73 planning application for the variation of Condition 9 (opening hours) attached to planning permission 79953 (Change of use of former public house to woman's centre/ community hub with associated works) to allow longer operating hours.”

“The application seeks to establish operating hours of 8am to 11pm Monday to Sunday.”

Officer report

The site and surroundings

The former public house is a vacant, two-storey town-centre property in a conservation area near listed buildings and residential uses.

“The Site is also located within the Barnstaple Town Centre Conservation Area and in proximity to a number of listed buildings – Grade II listed Barnstaple Town Station to the south and Grade II listed 17. Castle Street to the east. Further, the Telephone Exchange building to the west is a designated Locally Important Building. The site is roughly 50m to the south of the Castle Mound Scheduled Ancient Monument with the Cattle Market Car Park separating the two.”

“The property is a two storey end of terrace property. To the rear, the property steps down with a number of single storey elements to the building and an enclosed courtyard. Uses of these parts include a store room and customer toilets. Internally the property is divided into the customer facing area of the public house at ground floor level, and manager’s living accommodation at first floor level.”

Officer report

Earlier permission

Permission was granted in May 2025 to change the former public house into a women’s centre and community hub.

“Reference Number Proposal Decision Decision Date 79953 Change of use of former public house to woman's centre/ community hub with associated works at The Watering Hole 14 Castle Street Barnstaple Devon EX31 1DR Approved 22 May 2025”

Officer report

Why officers supported it

Officers considered the extended hours acceptable because the Noise Management Plan and flood-related conditions would protect neighbours and users.

“The proposed extension of hours to allow opening from 08:00 to 23:00hrs seven days a week has the potential to cause adverse noise impacts at neighbouring residential properties. A Noise Management Plan (NMP) has been submitted to address this concern.”

“In light of the foregoing and subject to the imposition of conditions requiring the mitigation measures outlined in the flood risk assessment to be carried out in full and the submission and agreement of an adequate Flood Emergency Management Plan, Officers consider the proposal accords with Policy ST03.”

Officer report

Questions at the meeting

The Lead Planning Officer said no cellar was known because it was not shown on the plans, and kegs had previously been stored in a rear outhouse.

The committee decision

The committee unanimously approved the application in line with the officer recommendation.

“RESOLVED (unanimous) that the application be APPROVED as recommended by the Lead Planning Officer (North).”

Minutes