®Planning appeal decision
65, Gerard Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester, WN4 9AH
Change of use from bank (Use Class E(c)) to a café/bar (Use Class E(b)) at ground level and an 11 person, 6 bedroom House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4) at first and second floor together with associated external alterations
- Authority
- Wigan Metropolitan Borough Council
- Appeal type
- minor · Planning Appeal
- Procedure
- Written Representations
- Development
- residential · Change of use
- Inspector
- Rigby G
Main issues, as the Inspector framed them
- the effect of the proposed development on the character and appearance of the area, bearing in mind that it would be within the Ashton Town Centre Conservation Area
- the living conditions of both the future occupiers of the proposed development and the occupiers of the properties on Heath Road backing on to 65 Gerard Street with regard to privacy
- highway safety
What decided it
The harm to the conservation area's character and appearance, combined with unacceptable living conditions for future occupiers and neighbours, and adverse effects on pedestrian safety, outweighed the public benefits of reusing the vacant building.
Framework references: 215
Plan policies cited: Policy CP7, Policy CP10, Policy CP11, saved UDP Policy EV4A, Places for Everyone Policy JP-P2, Places for Everyone Policy JP-P6, Places for Everyone Policy JP-C6, HMO Supplementary Planning Document section 3.23, Residential Design Guide SPD Principle 6
The main issues and the deciding factor are read from the published letter by Town Planner Pro; the letter itself is the record. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Research, not advice.