Powys town council supports plans for work on two shops in town centre

Two planning applications for shops in Rhayader have been supported by the town council.

Members recently considered the plans for Westmor on West Street, Rhayader which is the Spar.

Applicant Andrew Fenwick applied for permission to remove the existing aluminium shopfront and tiled stallriser and blind box and fascia and install a new timber shopfront, stallriser and fascia.

The work at The Spar is supported though investment secured as part of the Shop Frontage Scheme.

Rhayader Town Council members recommended approval of the plan and Powys County Council has since approved it.

Councillors also considered a planning application for a change of use from an existing retail shop into a takeaway food premises at Wye Cottage, North Street, Rhayader.

The premises previously operated as a retail shop but ceased trading approximately two years ago and have remained vacant since that time.

A previous planning application sought planning permission for the change of use of the premises from a retail shop to a takeaway.

That application was refused following consideration of matters including noise associated with the proposed extraction equipment and the lack of sufficient information regarding delivery and servicing arrangements.

The previous refusal identified two principal matters requiring further consideration - the absence of sufficient information to demonstrate that noise generated by the proposed extraction system would not adversely affect neighbouring residential amenity; and insufficient information regarding the proposed delivery and servicing arrangements and the potential impact upon highway safety.

A noise impact assessment has now been undertaken and further detailed information regarding the proposed operation of the business, delivery arrangements, customer parking and servicing has also been provided.

The proposed business will operate primarily as a collection takeaway. No food delivery service is proposed and there will be no delivery drivers operating from the premises.

Customers will be able to place orders either in person or by telephone, with customers subsequently attending the premises to collect their food.

A small waiting area will be provided within the premises, comprising approximately six informal seats. These seats will be provided solely for customers waiting for their food to be prepared or for the collection of a pre-ordered order.

No customer dining area is proposed and customers will not be encouraged to eat within the premises.

The proposed use is therefore intended to operate as a takeaway rather than as a restaurant or café. The proposed opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 5pm to 10:30pm and Friday to Sunday from 5pm until 11pm. Approximately five staff will be employed by the business.

The extraction system will operate only during the opening hours of the business, food stock deliveries will take place approximately once per week, generally on a Monday, and will be undertaken using a small van and all proposed stock deliveries will be made to Smithfield Car Park. Goods will then be transported from the car park to the premises using a trolley.

Commercial waste will be stored within the rear yard of the premises and collected by a specialist commercial waste collection company.

When the retail shop was operating, the business was open daily between approximately 7am and 6pm and received deliveries on a daily basis. Those deliveries were undertaken from the main road frontage, and no complaints or concerns relating to deliveries, parking or servicing were brought to the attention of the applicant during the operation of the former retail business.

The application states that the proposal will therefore result in a substantial reduction in the frequency of delivery movements associated with the premises, whilst also removing the need for delivery vehicles to stop on the highway frontage.

Applicant Miss Anne Powell said the proposal will bring a vacant commercial premises back into active use and provide approximately five employment opportunities, whilst contributing to the vitality and viability of Rhayader Town Centre.

Councillors recommended approval of the plan. Powys County Council will make a final decision on the application by December 1.