Agenda item

            That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment).

The Committee considered the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment) in respect of this application which had been the subject of a site visit on 10 November 2014.  The usual consultations had been undertaken and the responses received detailed in the report.

                        The officer detailed the background to the report and explained that 31 letters of objection and one representation of support had been received. 

                        Mr. E. Gomer spoke against the application and raised concern at the loss of the Pwll Gwyn Hotel as a community hub.  He said that no timescale had been given for the re-opening of the pub which had been bought as a going concern and details had not been provided of how the community centre would be replaced.  Mr. Gomer said that 12 month marketing of the pub had not been undertaken and an application for an amendment to the listed building had not been submitted.  He also highlighted section 327A of the Town and Country Planning Act and referred to the ownership of the building and an incorrect ownership certificate.

                        In response, the Democracy and Governance Manager said that ownership issues did not prevent the Committee from determining the application. 

                        The applicant, Mr. J. Adedeji, said that the Pwll Gwyn was purchased as a property and not as a going concern and it was proposed to only use the existing kitchen for the production of the sauces.  It was also intended to let out bedrooms and open the restaurant in the future.  He spoke about the changes to appliances which had been made since purchasing the property which included the purchase of a new cooker which significantly reduced the omissions and odours.  Mr. Adedeji explained that initially he and his wife were to work in the business but it was hoped that the business, which had the support of Flintshire Tourism Association, could be expanded to allow them to employ more staff.           

                        Councillor Alison Halford proposed the recommendation for approval which was duly seconded.  She felt that there were no grounds to refuse the application and that the ongoing survival of the pub was not for consideration by the Committee.  Councillor Chris Bithell said that the proposals only dealt with the outbuildings and not the pub itself and added that diversification should be encouraged.  It was the intention of the owner to reopen the facility in the future and continue to provide a pub/restaurant.  He concurred that there was no reason to refuse the application as it complied with policy. 

                        The Local Member, Councillor Jim Falshaw, spoke against the application.  He felt that it did not comply with the Unitary Development Plan or Planning Policy Wales guidance and that it had not been marketed for 12 months to establish whether there was a need for the pub.  He spoke of the previous pub which had employed 12 to 15 staff and said that businesses in Afonwen had been affected by the closure of the Pwll Gwyn.  The pub was a Grade II listed building and no application to amend this had been submitted.  He felt that it was important to establish a facility in the village for residents to meet and sought more information on the plans for letting out some of the rooms and on a timetable of what the applicant intended to do with the property. 

                        Councillor Derek Butler welcomed the application and said that the proposal was a natural progression which could lead to the re-opening of the pub/restaurant and added that this application was only for the re-opening of the kitchen.  Councillor Mike Peers queried whether the property had been marketed for 12 months to establish need and said that this would have given sufficient time to prospective tenants/landlords to re-establish the pub.  Councillor Owen Thomas felt that the kitchen was an integral part of the public house.  He therefore felt that policy S12 should be considered and the application refused.  Councillor Richard Jones raised concern at the closure of the Pwll Gwyn but said that this application was only for the use of the kitchen and outbuildings.  He concurred that the kitchen was an integral part of the pub and queried whether approval of the application would affect the future re-opening of the pub/hotel. 

                        The officer confirmed that the application only referred to the kitchen area and not a change of use for the pub/hotel, and therefore the 12 month marketing test did not apply.  If the pub did re-open, the kitchen could become a dual use area for both the sauce production and the pub.  He confirmed that there had been an issue about the appropriate ownership certificate but this had since been resolved.  In response to comments made, the Planning Strategy Manager said that as there were no changes to the fabric of the building, a Listed Building consent application was not required. 

                        In summing up, Councillor Halford said that concerns had been raised about the closure of the pub but this application was not for change of use of the pub.  She welcomed the application.      

            RESOLVED:

            That planning permission be granted subject to the conditions detailed in the report of the Chief Officer (Planning and Environment).