A CONTENTIOUS conversion of a former Ashton-under-Lyne pub has been given the go ahead – for the second time.
But those behind the scheme at what was the Waterloo Tavern, on Oldham Road, have been told they cannot have a takeaway.
Despite being previously approved by Tameside Council’s Speaker’s Panel (Planning) committee, the application was revised and brought back.
Failure to take into account the proximity of two primary schools in June led to it being sent back to the body on Wednesday, July 23.
And it was amended to having a restaurant on the ground floor with a four-bedroomed house in multiple occupation above – a reduction from five.
Even then, ward Cllr Vimal Choksi, who excused himself as a member of the panel, spoke against it.
He said: “I have a great problem with the intent. It’s over-development and intensification of the site.
“I’ve been a councillor for eight years and I’ve seen the amount pf activities in the area. I don’t agree with the highways assessment that there are no issues.
“I’ve dealt with numerous problems in the area in terms of traffic, congestion, speeding.
“I’m not sure how many restaurants we have operating throughout the day from 11am until 11pm. Technically, it’s going to be operated as a takeaway.
“If you look at the layout of the ground floor, it’s no way suitable for a restaurant. It’s technically a takeaway.
“We’re not against any HMO or any kind of commercial unit. I’d urge the panel looks int the real intent of the application here.”
Applicant Aisha Yaseen told councillors: “I wasn’t expecting this, but here we are.
“The application was approved but we were advised through no fault of our own we’d have to make an amendment.
“We accepted the situation and immediately looked for a way forward. This property is a long-term investment – it’s not for us but for our children.
“We’ve every reason and intent to ensure it’s looked after, developed to a high standard and in accordance with regulatory conditions.
“We acknowledge and recognise the concerns people raise, but with the commercial element of the property, we will only agree lease terms with an established operator with a proven business track record.
“This gives us reassurance things will be run properly.
“Furthermore, the HMO will be marketed through a professional agency and contrary to some presumptions, tenants will be vetted and it will be developed with professionals in mind.”
Councillors, keen to prevent the conversion being used more as a takeaway than a restaurant, questioned officers over whether it will turn out that way – and were told it could on an ‘ancillary’ basis.
However, they insisted a condition is added that the ground floor cannot have takeaway facilities as they believed it would make a ‘mockery’ of then reason it was brought back to panel and the planning process.
A motion to approve planning permission without it was voted down before it was given the go ahead with it.