The Rhondda Cynon Taf Council's Planning Committee has approved plans to turn the entertainment arcade on Hannah Street in Porth into a barber shop
Plans to turn the amusement arcade in the valley town centre into a barber shop have been approved despite concerns about the number of barber shops already in town.
The plan to spin the first floor of the Hannath Street property in Porte from the amusement arcade to the barbershop was approved by the planning committee of Ronda Schinon Tough (RCT) on Thursday, May 1, but those who opposed the application said there are already 13 barbershops in Porte.
The property has historically acted as an entertainment arcade, but it looked empty when it visited the site, the planning report says.
In a typical area, many levels state that there were residential flats on the upper floors.
Local Assemblyman Ross Davis wanted the issue to go before the planning committee, so members could consider the full scope of the proposal.
After consultation, 34 separate letters of objection were received from the local residents and the Cong and District Trade Office.
They said another barber shop will lead to excessive saturation of barber shops, like all existing hairdressers, nail bars and steam marks.
Opponents said that promoting better, more sustainable retail options is essential to maintain Porth as a viable retail hub, and if another barber opens and steals customs from an existing barber, they will only get an empty unit.
They said the rise in street barbershops has been causing a major blow to existing businesses that have already struggled, leaving customers visiting.
They alleged that over the past few months, several businesses had closed along Hannah Street, saying they didn't want to lose them anymore.
Opponents said adding more barbershops is not in the best interest of the community as it is not well received or supported by the community.
They said that Pauth already has 13 barbers and hair salons, all of which correspond to men's haircuts, and that the public opposition is much greater than the number of people who have officially submitted comments.
And they said it contradicts the council's policies and regeneration strategies.
It also received concerns from local members, Councillor Ros Davis and Councillor Sarah Hickman, in relation to the number of barber shops in town.
Councillor Mike Powell said there was no sustainable argument that they could reject it and would fail the appeal. To get the latest Rhondda News directly into your inbox, sign up for this newsletter.
Councillor Loretta Tomkinson said there are already several barbers, which will lead to an oversaturation of similar businesses and undermines the sustainability of existing businesses.
Councillor Ross Williams sympathized with local members and hoped there was a basis for turning them down, but said, “We're fighting behind our backs with one hand.”
Councillor Sharon Reese, chairman of the committee, said it was really difficult and had a very heavy heart that they were very limited as to what they could do about it.
She said that Wales (PEDW) is very dimly viewed and is likely to turn down the costs that could come with planning and environmental decisions and environmental decisions.
When recommending approval, the planner said in his report: “The principles of commercial development on the site will be accepted and will make a positive contribution to the wider retail centre by reverting the property to be beneficial use.
“In addition, the application is believed to comply with the relevant policy of the local development plan regarding visual impacts and their impact on the amenities and privacy of nearby residential properties.”
Responding to opponents' concerns about barbershop oversaturation affecting the entire retail centre in the region and other businesses, the planning report states that the application was being considered based on the creation of A1 usage supported at the retail centre location, and based on the creation of the use of A1.
“Therefore, the number of similar uses is highly appreciated, but there is no planning policy to limit the use of A1 at retail center locations.
“In addition to the above, the proposed use needs and impact on existing businesses are not important considerations to consider in this case, and each case must be addressed with its own merits.”
Changes to first floor use include internal conversion of the property only without external changes or expansion of the proposed property.
The proposed first floor flat includes a kitchen/living room, bedroom, shower room and entrance hallway.
The existing independent doors within the shopfront will be replaced and some of the interior walls built to provide independent direct access to the proposed flats from Hannah Street.
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