Coffee and tapas bar at Traditional Toys 6 Bullring, Llantrisant

The site and its surroundings

The property is a two-storey mid-terrace building in Llantrisant’s neighbourhood centre, beside residential and commercial properties.

“The application property is a two storey mid terrace dwelling located within the neighbourhood centre for Llantrisant. The property is directly fronted by the highway at the Bullring which is single width along the front of the property. Whilst the premises is mid terrace the attached property on its western elevation No.8 Bulling is set back from the front elevation and benefits from an amenity space. At the rear of the property is a small enclosed courtyard and outbuilding.”

“Neighbouring properties are a mix of residential dwellings and commercial properties of A1 and A3 usage.”

Officer report

Earlier planning history

An earlier application to change the shop into a two-bedroom dwelling was refused in February 2020.

“The most recent planning applications on record associated with this site are.”

“19/1279/FUL Change of use from A1 (toy shop) to C3(a) (two bedroom domestic dwelling) Decision: 03/02/20, Refuse.”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended refusal because prolonged stays, noise, late activity and people gathering outside would harm neighbouring residents’ amenity.

“RECOMMENDATION: REFUSE DUE TO THE FOLLOWING REASONS:”

“The proposed change of use from an A1 retail unit to an A3 café/tapas bar is considered unacceptable as it would result in a level and pattern of activity that would cause significant harm to the amenity of neighbouring residents. The nature of an A3 use, including prolonged customer stays, increased internal noise, late‑evening activity and customers congregating outside, would generate materially greater noise and disturbance than the existing retail use.”

Officer report

Consultation and objections

Highways and several technical consultees raised no objection, while one neighbour objected over privacy, disturbance, parking, late opening, alcohol and quality of life.

“Loss of privacy due to proximity to neighbouring property as patrons will pass by existing front windows. • Noise and disturbance caused by the proposed use will come through walls. • Noise and disturbance caused by vehicles who will use area outside of neighbouring property as a pick up/drop off point plus delivery vehicles. • Existing parking issues in Llantrisant result in no additional parking for the proposed use.”

“APPLICATION NUMBER – 25/0918/FUL REPORT • Opening hours would be late into the night. • Future plans to sell alcohol. • Impact upon quality of life.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A representative for the applicant and an objector addressed the committee, while Councillor Glynne Holmes spoke in support.

The committee’s consideration

The committee heard the speakers, considered the application and was told about a late letter highlighting supportive social media comments.

“[name withheld] exercised the right to respond to the comments made by the objectors. Non-Committee, Local Member County Borough Councillor G Holmes spoke on the application and put forward his support in respect of the proposed Development. The Head of Planning outlined the content of a ‘late letter’ received highlighting social media posts and comments in support of the application.”

Minutes