Agenda item

Change of use from Estate Agents (Use Class A2) to youth cafe at ground floor and associated meeting and training space at first floor level. [Guildhall Ward] [Site Visit]

Members considered a full application by Mr Paul Herring, the City of York Council’s Head of Young People’s Services, for the change of use from an estate agents (use class A2) to a youth cafe at ground floor and associated meeting and training space at first floor level.

Representations were received from the applicant in support of the application. He expressed surprise at the requirement for the premises to close at 8.00pm which he stated he was not aware of. He advised Members that the previous week he had submitted a letter addressing some of the concerns raised by objectors and traders but which, due to an administrative error, had not been circulated to Members of the Committee at the meeting.

He advised the Committee that the proposals had received a lot of support and would provide a much needed meeting place for young people aged 13 to 18 in the city centre. In response to concerns raised about potential for anti social behaviour, he assured Members that any cases of such would be dealt with quickly and robustly. In respect of the recommendation that the premises should close at 8pm, he stated that this would appear to be treating the young people like children, not young adults, and could encourage them to hang around outside the facility after it closed.  He advised he was happy with the proposal for a three year temporary permission with the opportunity to carry on after this period. 

Members raised concerns about the impact it may have on Space 109, another facility on Walmgate but the applicant assured them that the two facilities had different target groups and focuses. Members also expressed caution over people congregating in front of the building and those arriving on mopeds and pointed out that this was a popular street with drinkers, but agreed that good management would deal with these issues.

Members agreed that the proposal would provide under 18s with a central location in which to meet friends from other areas of the city in a safe environment and expressed their support for a three year temporary arrangement. They agreed that the 10pm closing time requested by the applicant was acceptable acknowledging that by asking them to close at 8pm and send the young people home would not treating the young people with respect and giving them trust and agreed to amend condition 3 to reflect this.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions listed in the report and the amended condition below.

Amended Condition 3

The premises shall only be open to customers/non-staff members between the hours of 09:00 and 22:00 each day of the week.

Reason: In the interests of the amenity of surrounding occupants.

REASON:                  The proposal, subject to the conditions listed in the report and the amended condition above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to the character and appearance of the conservation area, the vitality of the street, and the amenity of surrounding occupants. As such the proposal complies with policies GP3. HE3, S5 and S6 of the City of York Development Control Local Plan.