Cafe conversion plans for former fishmongers backed by councillors

An application to convert a former city centre fishmongers into a new cafe have been given the go ahead.

Members of Wrexham Council’s planning committee unanimously backed the proposals for the vacant property at 36 St George’s Crescent.

According to the plans submitted by the applicant, the café would be open between 6am and 6pm Monday to Friday, as well as from 8am to 6pm on Saturdays. ‌

Concerns had been raised about the plans by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board – citing its nearby location to local education facilities.

However ‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌speaking at a meeting on Monday (4 September) planning officer Matthew Phillips told councillors that there are already “a number of existing similar facilities, takeaways, cafes and restaurants within a very short distance of this.”

Mr Phillips said: “We don’t have anything in the current SPG (Supplementary Planning Guidance) on the density of hot food takeaways.

“In terms of what national policy sets out in terms of promoting healthier places it’s more about location of development, and provision of outdoor recreation facilities to encourage healthy lifestyles rather than any specific limits on the number of fast food outlets.

“In dealing with this application we’d need to really consider whether any limitations are needed in terms of that use. The argument set up before you is that it isn’t.

“It complies with with the existing local planning guidance note in terms of proximity to educational facilities, and in terms of general access to similar food establishments, there are a number of existing similar facilities, takeaways, cafes and restaurants within a very short distance of this.

“I think this additional facility wouldn’t materially impact access access to hot food and it wouldn’t worsen health and well being of local residents.”

Concerns had also been raised by the local authority’s highways department about waste management.

However the officer told the committee that there is access at the rear of the site enable waste to be managed effectively on site and brought out for collection.