Flexible plan for town centre shop

PLANNING chiefs at Warrington are to be asked to approve a “flexible” use for a vacant town centre shop.
If the borough council’s planning committee agrees, the former baker’s shop next to Holy Trinity Church, in Sankey Street, could be used as an adult gaming centre, a restaurant or café or financial or professional services.
Granting permission for the “flexible” approach would mean the premises could be interchanged between the three uses for a period of 10 years without the need for a fresh planning consent.
No external alterations to the shop are proposed, although it is likely a further application could be made for this purpose.
No objections have been received to the scheme, although Rev Cllr Steve Parish – minister at Holy Trinity Church – has asked that the matter be dealt with by the committee rather than by officers under delegated powers.
If the building was used for a café, an odour extraction system would probably be required but the applicants – Summit Leisure – say they do not intend to alter the system previously used by the bakery.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved. They acknowledge it would mean the loss of a retail unit in the town centre but believe any of the proposed uses would be acceptable and not cause harm to the vitality and viability of the town centre.