Club plan refused over lack of details

Planners have refused permission to convert a former nightclub into apartments.

A planning officer said the plan for The Club, 2, Chapel Street, Congleton, had insufficient information for permission to be given.

Failings included insufficient information to “fully demonstrate” the impact of the development on the listed building and on the historic doors and fire safety compliance, as well as a lack of a schedule of historic features to be retained.

“The removal of existing historic timber doors would result in the unjustified loss of original fabric,” said a planning officer report.

The proposed replacement of historic timber doors with modern fire-rated doors was not supported.

The planning officer also said the apartments were too small.

Details of the proposed landscaping scheme within the rear courtyard were also required.
The report said: “The development would not provide a high standard of amenity for future users.

Units one, two and four fail to comply with the nationally described space standards and the bedroom in unit three indicated for two people on plan is only suitable for one person.”

Permission for a change of use of the first floor to two residential units was obtained through prior approval and the club has been closed since 2020. The scheme aimed to bring the ground floor of the building back into use and carry out repairs.

The officer report said: “The building has been vacant for a number of years and is in a poor state of disrepair. The proposal to convert the ground floor into residential use with a scheme of repair and renovation is generally welcomed and would see a continued use for the building and prevent further decay.”

Congleton Town Council had no objection. A total of 59 neighbouring occupiers were notified of the application but no comments were received.