®Planning appeal decision
20 Middleton Gardens, Middleton, Manchester, M24 1AB
Planning appeal 3268541 at 20 Middleton Gardens, Middleton, Manchester, M24 1AB (Rochdale Metropolitan Borough Council) was allowed on 1 July 2021 by Inspector Cryan M, by written representations. The main issue, as the Inspector framed it: The effect of the proposed change of use on the vitality and viability of Middleton Town Centre.
a change of use of ground floor from bank (Class A2) to amusement arcade (adult gaming centre) (Sui Generis)
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- leisure-sport · Change of use
- Inspector
- Cryan M
- Postcode
- M24 1AB
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- The effect of the proposed change of use on the vitality and viability of Middleton Town Centre
What decided it
The benefits of footfall, diversity of uses, and bringing vacant premises back into use outweigh the conflict with out-of-date development plan policies, particularly given that the Use Classes Amendment Regulations now permit a wide range of alternative non-retail uses without planning permission.
The benefits of the development in respect of footfall, diversity of uses, and bringing vacant premises back into use outweigh the limited conflict with the development plan; the proposal would not be harmful to the vitality and viability of Middleton Town Centre and accords with national planning policy on town centre management and adaptation.
What the Inspector cited
- Development plan policies
- Policy E1 of the 2016 Rochdale Core StrategySaved Policy S/4 of the 2006 Rochdale Unitary Development Plan
- National Planning Policy Framework
- Paragraph 85Paragraph 86Paragraph 87Paragraph 88Paragraph 89Paragraph 90Paragraph 184Paragraph 194Paragraph 196Paragraph 204
How the Inspector dealt with each one is set out in the app, in order: the development plan, national policy, housing land supply, other considerations and the planning balance, beside the letter.
See how each was appliedThe decision letter
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With an account
What an account adds to this decision
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The main issues, what decided it, the planning balance and the policies and judgments listed as cited are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro and are our summary, not the Inspector’s words; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.