There’s been a lot of concern within sections of Ventnor about the shop at 1 Church Street.
For those that don’t know, it’s the shop under the clock at the traffic lights at the top of Pier Street.
Previously left empty for many years, it has for a number of years been brought back to life as a Inspirations, really making a positive difference to the town.
There was a planning application in to try and turn it into an estate agency – that was decided today.
Not another Estate Agent! – Went the cry
The reaction of many people in Ventnor was “What! There’s five of those already in town.”
The Planning Officers from the Isle of Wight council didn’t seem to hold the same opinion and made a recommendation to grant it Conditional Permission – which was to be done under a delegated decision, so held in private.
Called In by Cllr Welsford
Fortunately for those who opposed the application, local IW council, Cllr Chris Welsford, decided he would Call In the planning application to stop it being decided via a delegated decision.
His actions appear to have worked, as today the Planning Committee has refused the application to change the use of the shop from A1 to A2.
Sustainable and Diversity of the town were cited as the reason for the refusal.
Image: Google Street View
