PLANNING chiefs at Warrington are to visit a newly opened bistro restaurant before deciding whether it will have to make changes to its shop front.
Le Pierre Bistro, on London Road, Stockton Heath recently took over the premises of the former Loch Fyne fish restaurant – and is winning much praise for its food.
But as part of a makeover of the premises a new shop front was installed – without the benefit of planning permission.
The firm submitted a retrospective planning application but officers at the borough council were not happy with the changes which, they claim, are not sympathetic to the Grade 2 listed Victoria Building in which the restaurant is situation.
They recommended the application be refused – meaning the fascia would have to be changed again.
But members of the borough’s development control committee decided they would visit the site before making a decision.
The conservation officer who looked at the plans raised concerns about a timber shop front being fitted over the existing brick façade and how the restaurant signage obscured architectural detailing fundamental to the building’s character.
Planners argue that the shop front has a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the building and the Stockton Heath Conservation area.
They say the restaurant has been more concerned with meeting its parent company’s corporate style than fitting in with the historic building.
PLANNING chiefs at Warrington are to visit a newly opened bistro
restaurant before deciding whether it will have to make changes to its
shop front.
Planners to visit bistro
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
4 Comments
Aaaah, Bisto!
Do the planners think about the Conservation Area when they allow all these eating establishments to open in a small shopping village?
They’re avin a laugh.
Planning officers !!! jumped up idiots trying to justify their own existence by creating bureaucracy. A wooden fascia on a shop front does not detract from a buildings historical significance if it can be recovered later…unlike maybe knocking down Victorian swimming baths…now there’s where you should be looking. whats the matter is there no coffers for the councillors back pockets in this job?
This really annoys me… how can the planners and spout on about it not being sympathetic to the grade II listed building when virtually the WHOLE VICTORIA BUILDING IS NEW… THEY KNOCKED DOWN THE OLD GRADE II BUILDING TO MAKE WAY FOR IT !
So Richipoo you can forget any historical significance as the only bit that actually remains of the old historic building is the metal dome. The new Bistro shop frontage looks classy and is far better than some of the scruffy eyesores further down the village (which are also in the conservation area) though.