Planners to vote on gallery proposal

The application has to be heard by Calderdale Council’s planning committee following a recommendation by the council’s head of housing and the environment that it be refused.

Applicant Justin Pringle wants to convert the entire ground floor on to a licensed coffee bar from retail and residential use and also to reapply for a new art gallery and new access to first floor residential accommodation.

Head of planning Geoff Willerton has recommended approval. In a report for today’s meeting he says: “The proposal involves the change of use of the ground floor to a licensed coffee bar operating from 11am to 9pm Monday to Sundays.”

But there are fears over noise in that a public house, bar use “would involve large numbers of comings and goings, it could have amplified PA systems, music and live bands and it could operate into the early morning.

“Noise from such use would be a major concern, detrimentally affecting the adjoining commercial premises including the residential properties above these units and in particular the dwellings above this unit.”

However, Mr Willerton says it “would be possible to impose a planning condition to prohibit amplified noise that is audible outside the premises”.

He adds: “Furthermore, the flat above the premises is owned by the applicant who will retain control over it.

“The applicant has advised that whilst the flat is currently rented out to a friend, should the application be approved, it is his intention to move back into the accommodation for security reasons or use the flat to accommodate a manager. Under the circumstances it is considered reasonable and necessary to impose a condition linking the occupation of the flat to the ground floor cafe bar.”