Community hub with café at Police Station, Gresford, Wrexham

What was proposed

The application sought retrospective permission to change a former nursery into a community hub offering classes, workshops, room hire and an ancillary café.

“Description of Development NEWID DEFNYDD ADEILAD O DDOSBARTH D1 (MEITHRINFA) I DDOSBARTH D2 (CYFLEUSTER CYMUNEDOL) GAN GYNNWYS SIOP GOFFI GYSYLLTIEDIG / CHANGE OF USE OF BUILDING FROM CLASS D1 (NURSERY) TO CLASS D2 (COMMUNITY FACILITY) INCLUDING ANCILLARY COFFEE SHOP”

“Proposal The application seeks permission in retrospect for change of use of the premises to a community hub providing cookery classes, wellbeing workshops and room hire for workshops and meeting along with ancillary cafe. Additional cycle parking facilities are to be provided. No other external alterations to the parking area or elevations of the buildings have taken place or are proposed and the outdoor space to the rear of the property will remain unchanged.”

Officer report

The site and its history

The former police station is surrounded by homes, and earlier permissions covered a day nursery and extensions including a training facility.

“Site Description The site comprises the former Gresford Police Station, more recently operating as a children's day nursery. Access into the site is via the B5445, which runs to the north of the site. Residential properties border the eastern, southern and western boundaries. The surrounding area is entirely residential.”

“P/2023/0861 - Front, rear and side extensions. Extensions to, and conversion of, detached garage to create ancillary training facility - Granted on 22/05/2024”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval, finding the principle acceptable and the development consistent with planning policies on design, amenity, highways and the natural environment.

“Principle of Development Policy PS1 directs new development for community facilities to sites within defined settlement limits. The principle of development is therefore acceptable.”

“Natural Environment The application seeks planning permission to change the use of the property from one use that served the local community to another use that would also serve the local community. NRW has raised no objection to the application and has advised that the development is unlikely to increase the amount of phosphorus entering the SAC catchment so would not have a significant effect on the River Dee and Bala Lake SAC.”

Officer report

What consultees said

The local member and community council raised highway concerns, while the highway, public protection, environmental and water consultees raised no objection subject to requirements.

“Consultation Responses Community Council Comments that some residents have raised concerns about parking. Requests that the Council's Highway Officer is consulted about the change of use, the parking provision and parking on the roads and streets close by.”

“Local Member Objects due to highway concerns.”

Officer report

Who spoke

A representative spoke against the application, another spoke in favour, and the local member raised concerns about traffic unless robust conditions were imposed.

What members debated

Members welcomed the community hub but discussed the lack of disabled parking and suggested temporary approval and a designated disabled space.

“The Officer presented the report, and in doing so, displayed plans of the site to assist with his presentation. A discussion ensued and the following points were made:”

“A Committee Member welcomed the application and highlighted the benefits that a community hub brought to the people using the facility. • Concern that there didn’t appear to be disabled parking provision. • Suggestion that temporary approval be given and one of the car parking spaces be designated as a disabled bay.”

Minutes

The committee’s decision

The committee granted permission in line with the officer recommendation and amended the parking condition to require at least one mobility-standard space.

“RESOLVED – That permission be granted in accordance with the Officer recommendation, subject to the following amendment to condition 6:”

Minutes