Planning approval for a new Wetherspoons pub in Shrewsbury has been thrown into doubt after councillors stuck to their guns about strict conditions they want to impose.
The conditions say the Pride Hill venue will have to keep surrounding streets clean and tidy for up to 50 metres and pay to link its CCTV system to the police’s.
Borough councillors last night voted in favour of sticking to the legally binding Section 106 agreement they want attached to the pub if they allow it to go ahead. Their decision went against the officer’s recommendation.
A report to the meeting said pub managers thought it was “unreasonable to expect them to clean an area of 50 metres around the unit, which incorporates another licensed premises and public highways”.
It also said that “as existing CCTV cameras adequately cover the area it is not necessary for additional cameras linked to the town centre system to be paid for by JDW”.
They have said they will clean the area directly outside the premises. Some councillors at the meeting said they were concerned about imposing the legal agreement as no other town centre venue has to adhere to such an arrangement.
Planning officer Wayne Barraball said the issues being discussed were more appropriately covered by licensing regulations.
But planning committee chairman Councillor Judith Williams said: “I am amazed that the planning officers are recommending that the conditions are lifted. Why shouldn’t Wetherspoons take an active role in the community?”
One Comment
“The conditions state that the venue at 26 Pride Hill will have to keep surrounding streets clean for a distance of up to 50 metres and pay to link its own CCTV system into the police’s.”
What on earth? Is this committee having a laugh?
They are taking Section 106 to ridiculous extremes.
What next? Will the council demand that someone making a planning application fund and run a local school?