Agenda item

Application 1: The temporary use of five areas of Watergate Walk for the placing of 42 tables, 168 chairs, 23 umbrellas, 8 awnings and two serveries in connection with Gordon's Wine Bar, 47 Villiers Street (Area 1: 36.3m x 2.0m, Area 2: 29.4m x 2.0m, Area 3: 19.6m x 2.6m, Area 4: 19.6m x 2.6m and Area 5: 6.6m x 2.6m).

Application 2: The temporary use of two areas along Watergate Walk each measuring 2.7m x 19.6m for the placing of 20 tables and 80 chairs in connection with the Gordon's Wine Bar, 47 Villiers Street.

Late representations were received from Gordons Wine Bar (12.6.2019), The Northbank BID (14.6.2019) and Councillor Louise Hyams (17.6.2019).

Simon Gordon addressed the Committee in support of the application.

Councillor Mark Shearer addressed the Committee as a local Ward Councillor and on behalf of his fellow Ward Councillors, who were in support of the application.

The presenting officer tabled the following amendments to the draft decision letters.

Application 1 - Revised Reasons for Refusal 1 and 2.

The extent of outdoor seating proposed along Watergate Walk in connection with Gordon's Wine Bar at 47 Villiers Street, would result in noise, disturbance and nuisance to nearby residential occupiers, including those within Kipling House on Villiers Street and on Buckingham Street and York Buildings. This would be harmful to residential amenity and is contrary to S29 and S32 of Westminster's City Plan (November 2016) and ENV 6, ENV 13, TACE 9 and TACE 11 of our Unitary Development Plan that we adopted in January 2007.

The proposal to place tables and chairs and other furniture on both sides of Watergate Walk would block the flow of pedestrians along the passageway and so would not provide a convenient, attractive and safe pedestrian environment. This does not meet S41 of Westminster's City Plan (November 2016) and TRANS 3 and TACE 11 of our Unitary Development Plan that we adopted in January 2007.  (X08AC)

Application 2 - Additional condition

Within one month of the date of this decision you must apply to us for approval of an Operational Management Plan. You must then carry out the development in accordance with the details approved.  

RESOLVED UNANIMOUSLY:

Application 1:  That permission be granted against officer’s recommendation for one year only.  The Sub-committee considered that there were exceptional grounds to overturn officer’s recommendation in light of the significant work undertaken by the applicant and Councillor Shearer with residents.  The Sub-committee considered that the revised amount of seating, the removal of the barrels and vertical drinking and the applicant’s detailed Operational Management Plan (OMP) will mitigate the potential harm to the amenity of residents.  Additionally, the removal of the barrels/vertical drinking and the OMP will leave sufficient width for pedestrians to pass along Watergate Walk and the public benefits associated with providing this seating and the reduction in the number of tables will not result in harm to the designated heritage assets.

That officers be authorised to draft conditions under delegated powers that should include the requirement of the applicant adhere to the submitted OMP and no outside cooking.

Application 2: That conditional permission be granted for a limited one year period.

That officers be authorised to draft conditions under delegated powers that should include the requirement of the applicant to submit an OMP to the Council for approval and no outside cooking.