Shop carve-up rejected

PLANNING bosses at Warrington have thrown out a proposal to split a retail shop in half – using the other half for a non-retail use.
The scheme was put forward by Gabcon Developments Ltd for an existing menswear shop at The Courtyard, in Horsemarket Street
It was opposed by local councillor Steve Parish, who pointed out that the proposed change of use could result in one half of the property becoming a betting shop.
Members of the planning committee were told the council’s policy on principal shopping frontages in the town centre was that there should not normally be more than 10-20 per cent of properties in non-retail use.
In fact, 33 per cent of units were already in non-retail use and if the proposed conversion was allowed, the figure would rise to 38 per cent.
Planning officers pointed out, however, that as half the premises would remain in retail use – albeit as a smaller unit – there would be no loss of a retail unit.
They recommended the scheme be approved, pointing out there was nothing in the application to suggest a betting shop would be provided and that, in any case, betting shops were considered at a national level to be appropriate for town centres.
But the committee rejected the scheme.