Redevelopment of Castle Street?

During last Monday’s Planning meeting, members heard that the proposed plans incorporated four retail units with classes A1 and A2 to be hot food takeaway and unit 4 to be a restaurant, as well as six apartments, footpath extension, landscaped areas and parking bays.

The Planning Officer explained that planners ‘were happy with the application’. However he highlighted that the application had been refused due to three reasons including ‘failure to provide quality residential environment’, ‘unsympathetic building materials/ techniques which are out of keeping with those found on the listed building’ and ‘if permitted the proposed development would prejudice the safety and convenience of road users since provision can not b made clear of the highway for the parking, turning, loading and unloading of vehicles which would be attracted to the site/premises’.

In response Cllr John Finlay (right) asked for an office meeting stating: “The applicant will probably have to reduce this a bit but they shouldn’t lose the whole application.”

Cllr James Simpson also question the location of the application adding: “Where’s the listed building?”

The planner explained that it was; ‘the church below the memorial garden’.

One letter of objection had been received. An office meeting was agreed.