Agenda item

8.1

The Director of Regeneration and Development Services submitted a report in relation to the erection of an unauthorised timber canopy on the front of business premises at 140-42 Abbeydale Road.

8.2

The report stated that Abbeydale Road was an area of the City that had been targeted, by the Council’s Planning Enforcement Team, with the aim of improving the general appearance of the street scene, and, to date, enforcement action had been successful in securing the removal of 3 unauthorised canopies (in 2007) and a number of illegal advertisements in 2013. A further report appears on this agenda relating to additional illegal advertisements.

8.3

A complaint from a Planning Enforcement Officer, was received, on 11 February 2014 concerning with a corrugated metal roof, that had been erected on the premises’ forecourt which faced Abbeydale Road.

8.4

Correspondence was entered into with the owner of the premises informing them that planning permission was required to erect a canopy on the front of retail premises but that because of the detrimental effect to the amenities of the street scene, it was unlikely that it would be granted for the one that had been built.

8.5

The owner responded to the letter, and although they agreed to remove the canopy, and replace it with one that was considered as being more acceptable, this work was not carried out and as a result a Section 330 Notice was served on the premises owner on 11 April 2014, which the owner failed to complete and return to the Council.

8.6

To date no attempt had been taken by the owner to remove the canopy as requested in the original correspondence dated 20 February 2014, or to submit an application for an alternative and more acceptable canopy that would continue to meet the needs of this business.

8.7

RESOLVED: That (a) the Director of Regeneration and Development Services or Head of Planning be authorised to take any appropriate action including, if necessary, enforcement action and the institution of legal proceedings to secure the removal of the unauthorised canopy at 140-142 Abbeydale Road and (b) the Head of Planning, in liaison with the Chair of this Committee, be authorised to vary the action in order to achieve the objectives hereby confirmed, including taking action to resolve any associated breaches of planning control.