The Licensing Sub Committee will be meeting on 21st July to consider an application for a street furniture permit to allow outside seating in a small area with astro turf and picket fencing in St Thomas’ Square, Newport.
The application, submitted on behalf of ‘El Patron’ – the Mexican-theme restaurant based in Charter House in the Square – has been met with objection by many ‘local stakeholders’.
Permission sought for 8x3m area
The restaurant is seeking a permit in order to place table and chairs in an 8m by 3m area which would also be astro turfed and surrounded by picket fencing from 10am to 10pm seven days a week.
Island Roads: “A trip hazard”
Paperwork for the hearing reveals an objection from Island Roads. It reads,
“Island Roads on behalf of the Highways Authority have expressed concern regarding the style of the proposed fencing, and the potential for it to cause injury to anyone who may stumble onto it, also that the leg supports and the proposed astro-turf floor covering are thought to present a trip hazard to passing pedestrians.”
The Island Roads officer has suggested an alternative ‘post and banner’ system, “which presents less of a risk may be more suitable”.
Planning officer: “Enclosure unacceptable”
Although it would be situated immediately next to the current enclosed area for Olivos, the IWC Planning Officer has also raised significant concerns over the proposed fencing,
“It would be considered to form an enclosure and would be unacceptable as it would significantly impact on the setting of the church, which is a Grade A listed building protected by law, and the War Memorial.
“The officer has stated that the square is traditionally an open public meeting space and that any enclosure would be in a thoroughfare part of the square and would be unacceptable for these reasons.”
Parish council: “Inappropriate concept”
The Parish Council welcomes an ‘alfresco’ atmosphere in the town centre, but believes the application presents an inappropriate concept encroaching into the square towards the War Memorial and the impact on the character and appearance of the area.
They feel that the position and the size is unacceptable as it creates an obstruction to the free flow of pedestrians and detracts from the open ambience of the square.
The paper states,
“They believe that the proposal would be more suitable in a seaside location or as a short term facility at a sports tournament.”
The Parish Council and Island Roads suggested the table and chairs would be better placed along the side of the building rather than at the end of it.
Objection from Vicar
Paperwork for the hearing reveals the vicar of Newport Minster also believes that the style of the proposed enclosure is not in keeping with the ambience of the Square, and that it would cause limitations for the use of the Square.
The recommendation from the officers is that “a permit is granted for the area requested, subject to the standard conditions and other special conditions or restrictions as are deemed necessary”.
Members of the sub committee will be asked to take the comments and objection into consideration on Thursday 21st July.
