Semley Tapas Bar gets planning refusal (South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats)

South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats <info@swwiltshirelibdems.org.uk>

Semley Tapas Bar gets planning refusal

November 24, 2010 10:15 AM

Wiltshire Council's southern planning committee has refused a retrospective planning application to convert the Old Post Office in Semley to a Tapas Bar.

The business opposite the primary school is currently operating, but neighbours raised concerns over parking, noise, and the impact on the amenities of the village.

The planners said most of the concerns are about the way the bar is operated, and could be resolve through either planning conditions or by involving the licensing department of the council. There would then be no objection in principle to the business operating.

However the highways department objected because the amount of parking provided is inadequate, and a difficult access to the site creates a potential traffic hazard.

The application went to the southern area committee on November 18th.

Those speaking against it were Colin Stallwood, Clare Rooney, (Architectural Liaison Officer for Wiltshire Police), Cllr Drake of Sedgewick and Semley Parish Council, and Wiltshire Councillor Bridget Wayman.

Mr Joseph Duffy, the applicant, spoke in support.

Councillors decided to refuse the application because: "The property is located in a quiet and secluded settlement within the open countryside, and is located within close proximity to a number of residential properties, the local school, and church. The proposal is considered to introduce intrusive noise and general disturbance into this part of the settlement, to the detriment of existing amenities. Similarly, due to inadequate parking facilities and restricted visibility from the existing access arrangements, the proposal is considered to be detrimental to highway safety. The proposal is therefore contrary to the aims and objectives of saved policy G2 of the adopted Salisbury District Local Plan."