Agenda item

The application has been called in by Councillor Henderson due to concerns regarding Highways and Parking in the area and the impact of the proposal on neighbouring occupiers. 

The proposal is for the change of use of the redundant Methodist Church and Hall (Class F1) to a Members only community social club, comprising of a bar area for darts and pool within the main church building and a community/function events use of the rear hall.  The site is located within the settlement development boundary of Harwich and Dovercourt

Councillor Fowlerdeclared a personal interest in A.2 Planning Application 22/01083/FUL – 618 MAIN ROAD UPPER DOVERCOURT CO12 4LS due to being the Ward Member. She was pre-determined and therefore did not participate in the Committees deliberations and decision-making for this application.

Councillor McWilliams declared a non-pecuniary interest in A.2 Planning Application 22/01083/FUL – 618 MAIN ROAD UPPER DOVERCOURT CO12 4LS due to chairing and participating in deliberations at a previous Licensing and Registration meeting where a licence was granted for the premises. She was pre-determined and therefore did not participate in the Committees deliberations and decision-making for this application.

The application had been called in by Councillor Henderson due to concerns regarding Highways and Parking in the area and the impact of the proposal on neighbouring occupiers.

The proposal was for the change of use of the redundant Methodist Church and Hall (Class F1) to a member only community social club, comprising of a bar area for darts and pool within the main church building and a community/function events use of the rear hall. The site was located within the settlement development boundary of Harwich and Dovercourt.

The application was part retrospective as the majority of the works, mostly internal had been completed and the site had been operational. ECC Place Services had no concerns regarding the conversion or its impact on the neighbouring Grade II Listed Public House, The Trafalgar. Subject to conditions and mitigation to minimise the noise and disturbance to neighbouring occupiers there were no concerns raised regarding the impact neighbouring residential properties. Given its current use as a Church and function hall, it was considered a sustainable location along with its local Community.

The Committee had before it the published Officer report containing the key planning issues, relevant planning policies, planning history, any response from consultees, written representations received and a recommendation of approval.

Councillors Fowler and McWilliams left the meeting during this application and Councillor Harris acted as Vice-Chairman of the Committee.

At the meeting, an oral presentation was made by the Council’s Planning Team Leader (JJ) in respect of the application.

An update sheet had been circulated to the Committee prior to the meeting with details of an additional 22 letters of support and 13 letters of objection received, and the Officer’s comments thereto. The officer’s recommendation remained unchanged subject to a minor amendment to condition 4 to read as follows:

With the exception of condition 3, no live music events or other noise generating entertainment shall take place in any part of the building until the full written approval of the noise assessment and noise management plan has been obtained by the Local Planning Authority.

Mrs Amy Wosko, the applicant, spoke in support of the application.

Nicky Sawyer, a local resident, spoke in support of the application.

Mrs C Richardson, a local resident, spoke against the application.

Parish Councillor Tanya Ferguson, representing Harwich Town Council, spoke against the application.

Councillor Davidson, a local Ward Member, against the application.

Following discussion by the Committee, it was moved by Councillor Harris, seconded by Councillor Baker and unanimously RESOLVED that consideration of this application be deferred for the application to return to Committee within 3 months, having sought an Operational Management Plan and noise survey.