PLANS to turn a Valleys town centre amusement arcade into a barber shop have been approved despite concern over the number of barber shops that are already in the town.
The plan to turn the ground floor of a property in Hannah Street in Porth from an amusement arcade to a barber shop was approved by Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT)’s planning committee on Thursday, May 1.
But those who objected to the application said that there were already 13 barber shops in Porth.
The property has historically operated as an amusement arcade although appeared empty at the time of site visit, the planning report said.
It said that there were a variety of business premises within the general area many of which had residential flats on the upper floors.
Local councillor Ros Davis had called for the matter to go before the planning committee so members can consider the full scope of the proposal.
Thirty-four separate letters of objection had been received from local residents and the Porth and District Chamber of Trade following consultation.
They said another barber shop would lead to an over saturation of barbershops just like all the existing hairdressers, nail bars and vape shops.
The objectors said that to sustain Porth as a viable retail hub, it was essential to promote better and more sustainable retail options and that if another barbers opened and took custom away from existing barbers surely they would just end up with more empty units.
They said that the increase of barber shops in the street was turning away customers visiting and taking a huge toll on the existing businesses that were already struggling.
Several businesses had closed along Hannah Street in the past few months, they claimed, and they said they didn’t want to lose any more.
The objectors said that adding a further barber shop would not be well received or supported by the community and was therefore not in the best interests of the local community.
They said Porth already had 13 barbers and hair salons, all of which catered to men’s haircuts and that public opposition was significantly greater than the number who had formally submitted comments.
And they said it conflicted with council policies and regeneration strategies.
Concerns had also been received from local members, Councillor Ros Davis and Councillor Sarah Hickman, in relation to the number of barber shops in the town.
Councillor Mike Powell said there was no sustainable argument that they could refuse it on and it would fail at appeal.
Councillor Loretta Tomkinson said there were already several barbers and this would lead to an over saturation of similar businesses as well as undermining the sustainability of existing businesses.
Councillor Ross Williams said he sympathised with local members and he wished there were grounds to turn it down but said “we are fighting with one hand behind our back.”
Councillor Sharon Rees, the chair of the committee, said it was a really difficult one and that was with a very heavy heart that they were very limited as to what they can do about it.
She mentioned the likely cost of turning it down as PEDW would take a very dim view.
In recommending approval, planning officers said in their report: “The principle of commercial development at the site is acceptable and by bringing the property back into beneficial use, would result in a positive contribution towards the wider retail centre.
“Furthermore, the application is considered to comply with the relevant policies of the Local Development Plan in respect of its visual impact and the impact it has upon the amenity and privacy of the neighbouring residential properties.”
Responding to the objectors’ concerns around the oversaturation of barber shops impacting upon the retail centre as a whole and other businesses within the area, the planning report said that although the application sought permission for a barber shop the change of use had been considered on the basis of the creation of an A1 use which was supported in retail centre locations.
“Therefore, whilst the number of similar uses is appreciated, there is no planning policies to restrict the concentration of A1 uses in retail centre locations.
“In addition to the above, the need for the proposed use and the impact upon the existing business are not material considerations that can be taken into account in this instance and each case must be dealt with on its own merits.”
The change of use of the ground floor would involve an internal conversion of the property only with no external alterations or enlargement of the property proposed.
The proposed first floor flat would include a kitchen/living room, bedroom, shower room and entrance hallway.
An existing separate door within the shopfront would be replaced and a section of internal wall built to provide an independent direct access from Hannah Street to the proposed flat.
