A few months ago, the Local Business Network and many local High St Retailers objected to a planning application to change the former Roan Cards / Cheesecake Shop into a Hot Food takeaway. Planning permisiowas not granted.
The same Agent/Consultant has now submitted another for a change of use to A2 which falls within the 'Financial and professional' category. It is so much easier to obtain planning permission from an A2 unit to A5! Local Retailers and the Local Business Network (with help from Andy Stevens of ASP) have submitted an objection; the opening paragraphs from the Local Business Network letter are copied below:
"Application number WD/2008/0779/F
Change of use from A1 to A2. 2 Belmont Building High St Crowborough TN6 2QA
Case Officer: Ms Cheryl Spice
I am writing this objection to the application to a change of use of 2 Belmont Buildings, High St. Crowborough TN6 2QA in my capacity of chairman of the Local Business Network which is one of the 4 operational arms of The Crowborough Partnership. The Local Business Network has performed a variety of business support roles since 1997 working closely with retailers and all the other local business sectors. In the absence of either a Chamber of Commerce or a Business Association, one of its roles has been and remains to represent local businesses.
Before presenting the objections to the application I must say that it contains no information as to the nature of the use proposed, other than its use class; it is not accompanied by a Form PA2 giving details of the proposed occupier or other matters concerning the proposal (which I understand it certainly should do); it provides no details of attempts to market the building for retail use, which must surely be a fundamental requirement before the loss of the unit to A1 could be contemplated, and gives no details at all as to the background to the proposals, there being not even a covering letter with the application. On this basis it seems to me that the Council simply does not have sufficient information on which to consider the application and I am surprised that it should have been accepted in this way, or at least that additional information has not been sought.
The objections to the application, set out in much more detail below, can be summarised as follows: -
1. The proposal is contrary to the policies of PPS6
2. The proposal is contrary to the terms of local plan policy SH3
3. No detail is given of attempts to secure continued retail use of the building
4. Favourable consideration of the proposal prior to the completion of the Retail Impact Study that is presently being undertaken would be premature and prejudicial to proper consideration of that report
5. The Crowborough Healthcheck confirmed that local people place improvements to the retail offering of the town high on their list of requirements
6. To approve this application now when Crowborough town centre is at last beginning to recover from the effect of the opening of Morrison’s, with new retail uses in the town centre and, particularly the Fernbank Centre, would be to take a great step backwards."
Hopefully, we can influenece WDC Planners and Cllrs to reject this application. The result will be posted her in due course
