There’s an interesting planning application on this week’s ‘yellow list’. It’s recommended for approval, and so will automatically be passed unless a councillor ‘calls it in’ to a committee. If you download this document , (145 kb) you can find it on page 18.
The application is convert the Conservative Club in Back Lane, Rochford into an Indian restaurant. It was previously a restaurant for seven years before becoming a club.
There have been 36 letters ,generally objecting:
There should not be another Indian restaurant in Rochford, there are already three in the Town
o The Council should take in to consideration the other Indian restaurant businesses especially within the current climate
o Probable further air and noise pollution from extractors
o Residents already deal with noise from the Kings Head every evening
o Noise pollution from customers visiting the restaurant in evenings ? talking, altercations and car and taxis
o Increase in rodent pollution due to waste and food packaging being stored ready for collection
o Not an appropriate use within the conservation area
o The location is totally unsuitable, very close to residential properties
o Where would the customers park?
o Traffic problems would be exacerbated
o Council has recently sent out documentation regarding them coming more rigorous with regard to passing planning applications in the Conservation Area
o Indian restaurants are hardly fitting for a Conservation Area, the fascias tend to be of garish design and unattractive and will do nothing to enhance the appearance of the location.
o There are already rats in Back Lane, a restaurant would increase this problem
o Would like to see a youth club on the premises
o The building and access to this site is not suited to such a use
o The change of use would destroy the character of Back Lane
o There are other locations in Rochford that could accommodate this usage
o Noise from young people of the area having another place that is open late to hang around outside
o If it is the policy of Rochford Council to encourage people in to the centre by providing a selection of restaurants then another use would be more suitable
o Significant traffic problems already
o Back Lane cannot be considered to be a main thoroughfare
o An Indian restaurant will reduce property values
o Rochford needs more variety of businesses
o Significant noise from the extractor fans
o The application is desperately short of detail
o The Back Lane area is becoming increasingly residential in character and it is considered that any change of use of the Old Bakery should also be residential
o Proposal would result in the loss of a valuable community facility as the building contains the only private function suite remaining in the town centre
o Back Lane is unsafe for pedestrian traffic as there are no footways. Any proposal likely to increase pedestrian numbers is therefore undesirable
o There is no on site car parking and patrons will therefore have to walk to the car park or will be picked up/dropped off outside. Being a narrow thoroughfare the noise from vehicles and voices in Back Lane is amplified.
o Paragraph 15 of PPG4 under the heading mixed uses infers that permissions should not be granted where there are specific and significant objections such as the relevant development plan policy, unacceptable noise, smell, safety and health impacts or excessive traffic generation. Considered that the change of use would conflict with national policy
o Inevitable increase in anti social behaviour
There have also been two petitions objecting , signed by a total of 25 people. Strangely, the person who is the lead name on one of the petitions has contacted the council to say they did not sign it!
The application is recommended for approval by officers.