Issue - meetings

7.1 - VAR/2025/18 – Unit 2a Herron Services, Glanhwfa Road, Llangefni

VAR/2025/18

7.1  VAR/2025/18 – Application under Section 73 for the variation of condition (02) (sale of non-food goods only) of planning permission reference FPL/2023/18 (Retrospective consent for the sub-division of a single retail unit into 2 separate retail units) so as to allow for the sale of food from Unit 2a, Herron Services, Glanhwfa Road, Llangefni

It was RESOLVED to approve the application in accordance with the Officer’s recommendation, subject to the planning conditions contained within the report.

 7.1  VAR/2025/18 – Application under Section 73 for the variation of condition (02) (sale of non-food goods only) of planning permission reference FPL/2023/18 (Retrospective consent for the sub-division of a single retail unit into 2 separate retail units) so as to allow for the sale of food from Unit 2a, Herron Services, Glanhwfa Road, Llangefni

The application was presented to the Planning and Orders Committee at the request of a Local Member.  At the last meeting of the Planning and Orders Committee held on 4 June, 2025 the Committee resolved to refuse the application contrary to the Officer’s recommendation as it was considered that the proposal is contrary to policies MAN 3 and MAN 7 within the Joint Local Development Plan.

The Planning Development Manager reported that planning policy MAN 3 relates to retailing outside defined town centres but within development boundaries.  The policy seeks to safeguard existing A1 retail shops from change of use to other uses and to the development of new A1 retail shops.  He noted that as was explained at the last meeting there is no material change of use proposed under the current application and the use of the unit would continue to be A1 retail, consequently it is not considered that planning policy MAN 3 is relevant to the proposal.  Analysis of the original planning application indicated that the permission sought was specifically for ‘non-food’ retail use and the Officer’s delegated report provides no clear planning or policy justification to restrict the use of the units to ‘non-food’ retail and it therefore appears that the condition was imposed solely on the basis of the applicant’s original specification.  The Planning Development Manager referred to planning policy MAN 7 which relates to hot food take-away uses.  Hot food take-away’s fall under class A3. Greggs is defined as a bakery under class A1 retail unit.  Consequently, planning policy MAN 7 is not relevant to the proposal.  He noted that the applicant has submitted a brief summary outlining as to how they benefit the community.  Greggs is the largest bakery in the UK, with over 2,000 shops and 20,000 employees.  Greggs support over 890 school breakfast clubs and affords the provision of over 62,000 free school meals each day across the UK.  950 charities receive donations of food that has passed the ‘sell-by’ date from their stores within deprived areas. 1% of profits, before tax, is donated to the ’Greggs Foundation’ which supports families in hardship and also supports community projects.  Greggs uses sustainable resources to reduce food waste and use 97% of renewable energy.  The company also respects the Welsh culture and heritage of Wales with providing bilingual signage within their stores and recruiting Welsh speaking employees. 

The Planning Development Manager further said that it is considered that the proposal is considered to be acceptable and accords with relevant local development plan policies and if the application was refused there is a risk of an appeal with costs.  The recommendation was of approval of the application.

Councillor  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7