A controversial proposal to turn an events room connected to Ventnor’s Better Days Cafe into a 1-bedroom flat is heading to appeal after being rejected by the Isle of Wight Council.
Plans seek permission for a change of use of the space at the rear of 64 High Street, the former Central Hotel, which has been used in connection with the community cafe.
County Hall previously refused the application, saying there was ‘insufficient evidence’ to justify the loss of the facility.
However, the appeal comes during a period of change for Better Days Cafe, which announced this week that it will close in February 2027 after the owner decided not to renew the lease on the building.
Other reasons given for refusing the planning application included concerns that the proposed flat would fail to provide a good level of amenity for future occupants.
The council also cited the absence of a legal agreement to secure an affordable housing contribution.
Phil Salmon Planning is now challenging the decision on behalf of the applicant.
An Appeal Statement says the proposal would create a ‘modest’ but ‘high-quality’ residential unit, helping to meet what it describes as an ‘acute’ need for housing on the Isle of Wight while supporting the long-term viable use of the historic building.
The original application attracted 16 objections.
Concerns raised included the contribution the events room makes to the vibrancy of Better Days Cafe, the potential impact of its loss on the cafe’s viability and construction noise.
Objections also included concerns about the potential impact on the Grade II listed building.
Phil Salmon Planning argues that the council’s refusal is not based on unacceptable impacts from the development itself, but instead on a lack of evidence submitted with the application – something the consultancy says can be addressed through the appeal.
It also says a signed legal agreement is being submitted as part of the appeal process.
In its Appeal Statement, Phil Salmon Planning says:
“The objections do not provide evidence of any lease, licence, insurance arrangement, owner-authorised operational framework, or planning designation that would elevate the room from privately owned ancillary space into a policy-protected community asset.
“The planning application was for the conversion of the rear room only. It was not an application to close or remove the cafe use.”
The planning consultancy also argues that there are numerous ‘more formalised community spaces’ available for hire or use elsewhere in the Ventnor area.
The appeal will now seek to overturn the Isle of Wight Council’s decision to refuse the proposed conversion.
