The Shakespeare Hotel, a two-storey post-war building in Wytham Street, Padiham, has been granted planning permission for conversion into a convenience store, three flats, and a barbers’ shop. The decision was made by Burnley Council’s development control committee, despite receiving 128 objections from nearby residents.
The application, submitted by Balachandran Pakeerathan, seeks to change the use of the ground floor from a public house to a convenience store and the first floor to three flats. The garage will be converted into a barbers’ shop, and various external works will be carried out. The proposal has been met with widespread opposition from local residents, who are concerned about the potential impact on the community and the character of the area.
One of the objectors, Cliviger with Worsthorne’s Cllr Beki Hughes, expressed concerns about the potential negative impact on the community. “The Shakespeare Hotel has been a part of our community for many years, and its loss will be deeply felt,” she said. “I am disappointed that the council has chosen to ignore the concerns of local residents and approve this application.” Cllr Hughes went on to say that the hotel has been a hub of activity in the area, hosting community events and providing a meeting place for locals. She fears that the conversion will lead to a loss of community spirit and a decline in the area’s overall quality of life.
Other objectors have raised concerns about the potential impact on highway safety and transport in the area. The hotel is located on a busy road, and the conversion will bring in more traffic and pedestrians to the area. Some residents are worried that this will lead to congestion and safety issues, particularly for children and elderly residents who may be more vulnerable to traffic hazards.
The proposal has also raised concerns about the impact on Padiham town centre. Some residents believe that the conversion will draw business away from the town centre, which is already struggling to compete with larger shopping centres in nearby towns. Others are concerned that the conversion will lead to a decline in the town’s overall character and charm.
Despite these concerns, the council’s development control committee has approved the proposal. An officer’s report submitted to the council suggested that the proposal accords with the development strategy and that the loss of the public house is acceptable. The report stated that there is no evidence to suggest that the proposal would harm any other social and community infrastructure, and that the impact on the character and appearance of the area, crime and disorder, and the living conditions of nearby and future occupants do not raise any significant or fundamental concerns.
The report also noted that the application property has not been nominated as an asset of community value and that there have been no apparent community attempts to secure its reopening. Furthermore, there have been few objections to the loss of the public house, and some representations indicating relief that it has closed due to anti-social behavior and other issues.
The conversion of the Shakespeare Hotel is expected to bring in new businesses and revenue to the area, but it also raises concerns about the impact on the community and the character of the area. The convenience store and barbers’ shop may bring in new customers and revenue, but it’s unclear how this will affect the local businesses already present.
The decision has sparked debate among local residents, with some welcoming the new businesses and others lamenting the loss of the public house. The conversion is expected to take several months to complete, and the new businesses are expected to open in the coming year.
In a statement, the applicant, Balachandran Pakeerathan, said: “I am pleased that the council has approved my application. I believe that the conversion of the Shakespeare Hotel will bring in new businesses and revenue to the area, and I am excited to see the project come to fruition.” However, many residents remain unconvinced, and the decision has sparked concerns about the impact on the local community.
The conversion of the Shakespeare Hotel is a significant development for the area, and it remains to be seen how it will affect the community and the character of the area. While some residents may welcome the new businesses and revenue, others are concerned about the potential negative impacts on the community and the area’s overall quality of life. The decision has sparked debate and controversy, and it is clear that the issue will continue to be a topic of discussion in the coming months and years.