Appeal lodged over decision to reject Gwersyllt takeaway plans

An appeal has been lodged over a decision made by Wrexham Council to reject plans to convert a local newsagents and post office into a takeaway.

Last month Wrexham.com reported that planning committee members had voted to refuse the plans for Gwersyllt Newsagents amid concerns over lack of parking and noise disturbance for local residents.

At the meeting in July a representative speaking on behalf of the applicants explained that the owners had attempted to sell the post office on a number of occasions, however a decline in customer base has meant that no buyer has come forward.

As a result “the owners have realised that with the lack of interest to sell as retail, the best alternative was to offer a different use”.

But committee members were asked to refuse the application, with the planning control officer, David Williams, stating there is a lack of parking and that the development would lead to an increase in noise disturbance to nearby residents.

An appeal opposing the committee’s decision has now been submitted on behalf of the applicants, which argues that “the reasons within the officers committee report are subjective and based on opinion are are not factual”.

It adds: “The site already generates short stay customers with the newsagent trade. The amount of traffic will be similar with a similar stay period. The enterprise is not offering any facilities for customers to eat on site.

“Existing customers and visitors use the parking to the front of the shop as well as the public car park 200m away. There is no evidence that this will change only a suggestion from the case officer that he does not believe people will walk from this car park.

“While the applicant has no control where customers will park this is no different from the existing establishment. The highway outside the shop and within the cul-de-sac does not have yellow lines present which suggests that there has been no issues with parking in the area previously.”

The appeal concludes: “This proposal will allow an existing commercial unit, within the Gwersyllt Shopping District to gain a new lease of life. It will provide locals with an additional facility which is needed in the area.

“The proposed use will have no more effect on local residences amenity than the existing use, but also enable controls to be brought into place in regards to trading times.

“The use of the shop will ensure that the unit is maintained and presented in a clean well kept manner to attract custom which will only ensure that the street scene is maintained and does not allow the unit to become an eye-sore or target for vandals in the area.

“Employment will be provided for two local residents and will prevent the need for the local community to travel to other nearby villages by vehicle for hot takeaway food.

“Therefore I respectfully request that the Inspector grants Planning Permission for this development as I believe this would be in accordance with Wrexham County Councils own development control policies and will be a significant benefit to the area and it’s surrounding neighbours rather than an empty unit.”