Shrewsbury & Atcham
Borough Council

PRESENT: Councillors: Barker*, Bebb*, Clarke*, Kenny, Lord, Mrs Owen*, K Roberts*, Sambrook*, Sheppard*, Mrs Williams, J M Williams and S J Williams.

(* Denotes attendance at site visits)

Officers in Attendance: Planning Services Manager, Head of Planning Policy, Senior Solicitor and Committee Services Officer.

MINUTES: 13^th March 2007 - confirmed.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Councillors Mrs Jones and Winchester (Councillor K Roberts attended as his substitute).

02/07 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Bebb be appointed Chairman of the Committee for the period until the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2008.

03/07 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That Councillor Mrs Williams be appointed Vice-Chairman of the Committee for the period until the Annual Meeting of the Council in May 2008.

04/07 WELCOME TO NEW MEMBERS

The Chairman extended a welcome to the new members of the Committee.

05/07 FORMER LEONI PREMISES, OFF ARLINGTON WAY, SHREWSBURY, SHROPSHIRE, SY1 4NP

Consideration was given to a report of the Planning Services Manager in respect of a reference from the Development Control and Environmental Protection Committee held on the 27^th March 2007 in relation to a change of use from industrial (Class B2) to non-food retail (Class A1) and formation of new vehicular access (resubmission of application 06/0050/F refused on the 10^th March 2006) at the Former Leoni premises, off Arlington Way, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 4NP (Application Reference: 07/0024/F).

The Development Control and Environmental Protection Committee had recommended that the application be approved, which constituted a significant departure from the Development Plan. In accordance with the planning procedure adopted by the Council, the application had been referred to the Planning Committee for determination.

Members had visited the site.

Reference was made to a schedule of additional letters that had been circulated at the meeting.

That the application for a change of use from industrial (Class B2) to non-food retail (Class A1) and formation of new vehicular access (resubmission of application 06/0050/F refused on the 10^th March 2006) at the Former Leoni premises, off Arlington Way, Shrewsbury, Shropshire, SY1 4NP (Application Reference: 07/0024/F) be approved for the following reason:

It was considered that the unique location, close to other retail units and the fact that the building had been empty for a significant time and was deteriorating in condition, justified its re-use by a named retail operator.

The following conditions were attached to the application:

Notwithstanding the provisions of the Town and Country Planning General (Permitted Development) Order 1995, as amended, no mezzanine floor space shall be inserted within the building.

Reason: The application is granted exceptionally and in order to protect the vitality and viability of the Shrewsbury Town Centre.

There shall be no subdivision of the unit into smaller retail premises.

Reason: The application is granted exceptionally and in order to protect the vitality and viability of the Shrewsbury Town Centre.

The unit shall only be occupied by PC World (Dixons Group) and no other retail operator or for any other retail use.

Reason: The application is granted exceptionally and in order to protect the vitality and viability of the Shrewsbury Town Centre.

Members of the Planning Committee determined that the application be approved contrary to Officer advice for the reasons stated above.

(Councillor Clarke requested that it be recorded that he had voted against the above resolution).

5.30 p.m. - 6.00 p.m.