Opposition has mounted to a bid to convert an events room often used by the Better Days Café.
10 members of the public, including the owner of the adjoining Better Days Café, have objected to INCA Partners’ application for a change of use of a space to the rear of 64 High Street, once Ventnor’s Central Hotel.
The applicant’s agent, Phil Salmon Planning, has said the owners want to continue investment in the building, ensuring its long-term maintenance as a significant Grade II listed building.
However, Better Days Cafe founder Kirsty Chapman said she objected ‘profoundly’ to the plans:
“We feed hungry people and signpost to mental health services. Some of our staff are autistic and we accommodate them by keeping music low etc,”
“So firstly, I oppose the noise and disruption it will cause. I’ve worked hard for four years to set up a safe, warm space for people. Secondly, the room is used for guitar club once a week, and I’ve been looking for funding to make a Youth Hub with this room.”
She said there was “no way” a building site next door would not impact on her staff and customers and added that the cafe would probably be forced to close.
Other concerns raised by opponents included that Phil Salmon Planning’s submitted Planning and Heritage Statement was not accurate, there being a range of ‘socially positive’ groups, talks and activities taking place in the events room, and a lack of parking availability.
A submitted statement from Phil Salmon Planning said:
“The application is being submitted by the owners of the site who wish to continue to invest in the building, ensuring its long-term maintenance as an important listed building, enabled by a sustainable mix of HMO accommodation, the residential town house, and ground floor cafe, all of which help maintain the vitality and vibrancy of this town centre site.
“The event room to the rear of the hotel building has remained unused since the current owners of the site took on the property.
“It has previously been used by Ventnor Rugby Club, as its events centre, prior to the club having its own premises. There has been no interest by any third parties for its use since.”
The Isle of Wight Council’s public consultation on application 25/01358/FUL ends on 14th January and a decision is scheduled for 3rd February.
This is a laughable statement from Phil Salmon (who used to be a Planning Officer) Planning in reference to the Central:
“an important listed building, enabled by a sustainable mix of HMO accommodation, the residential town house, and ground floor cafe, all of which help maintain the vitality and vibrancy of this town centre site.”
Ye gods! just wander past there any time after 09.30 and see the “vitality and vibrancy” sitting outside!
It all sounds a bit fishy to me, pardon the pun.