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A former town centre hair salon which has been vacant for more than three years is expected to be turned into a café or restaurant.
Under delegated powers, Caerphilly County Borough Council’s planning officers approved the application for the change of use at 63 Cardiff Road, Caerphilly – which is next to Specsavers and opposite the King’s Arms pub.
What are delegated powers?
If a planning application is straightforward and uncontroversial, for example an extension on a house, then it is decided by a Planning Officer who has delegated powers.
Delegated powers allow the Planning Officer to decide whether to approve or reject a planning application, without the need for the council’s planning committee to make that decision.
Planning Officers have delegated powers because of their impartial position, qualifications, and experience. A planning officer has the power to refer a decision to the planning committee if it has community-wide impact.
Larger scale planning application, like the building of a new housing estate for example, would be decided by the council’s planning committee. Other applications, such as those which are complex or have received many objections during the consultation, would also be decided the council’s planning committee.
It is unclear if the space will be used as a café, restaurant or takeaway – no details have been revealed in the plans submitted by Waheed Ahmed. Additionally, no internal or external changes are proposed at this point.
In the planning statement, prepared by Cardiff-based C2J Architects and Town Planners, it says the applicant wants to bring the empty building into “beneficial use”. It adds that the change could strengthen the night-time economy of the high street.
The council’s deputy leader, Jamie Pritchard, said: “The message from councillors on our recent walkabout in the town centres is we must work collaboratively to reduce long-term vacant premises in our town centres. We want town centres to thrive and to be a place where the public feel comfortable visiting.”
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