Plans to change pub into religious centre set to be refused

Plans to change an old pub on Whitworth Road into a religious teaching and worship centre are set to be refused.

The proposal is for the former Baileys Arms and The Old Bricklayers pub to be converted into two classrooms that would be used by up to 35 people.

The centre would open Monday – Friday from 4.00pm -8.00pm, Saturdays from 10.00am to 4.00pm and Sundays between 12noon and 6.00pm.

The planning application will go before Councillors at a meeting on Tuesday (10 February) where it is recommended that the plans are thrown out.

The reasons are outlined in the report: “The proposed teaching and worship centre would result in a substantial increase in traffic generation and parking demand at the site.

“However, the proposal fails to make any provision for off-road parking. The lack of adequate off-road parking provision and shortage of safe and convenient on-street parking in the vicinity would result in vehicles stopping outside the application premises on Whitworth Road.

“This indiscriminate parking would create an obstruction to vehicle traffic along this strategic route, reduce visibility for pedestrians using the nearby pelican crossing and block a mandatory cycle lane.”