Plans halted for new shop with café area in Chichester

An application (19/03119/PA3C), submitted in December 2019, requested the change of use of the vacant site at 7 South Street from retail to flexible retail/café or restaurant use.

In its planning statement, the developers said the intended to use the former clothing shop as a café/coffee bar with 'only minimal hot food offerings'.

It also argued that the option of a café, within a flexible use class at this location, is 'not likely' to be a nuisance in terms of noise, given its small size and 'position on one of the major streets within the city centre'.

The application added: "The number of vacant units has steadily risen within the city centre to a level which is detrimental to the character of the conservation area, having a serious impact on the vitality of the city centre.

"The application unit is unusual in the street scene with a narrow shop frontage. As such the flexible use to A3 would not result in a significant blank or inactive frontage and would complement the immediate retail uses."

However, the application was this week refused by Chichester District Council due to the lack of full planning permission.

The decision notice read: "The proportion of non-retail uses within the primary shopping area of Chichester currently exceeds the 25 per cent threshold, as set out under the provisions of Chichester Local Plan Policy 27.

"The loss of an additional important A1 retail unit would exacerbate this further. This would be harmful to the vitality, viability and sustainability of Chichester's city centre, which is an important shopping area. Consequently, the proposal requires the formal approval of the planning authority."

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