PLANS for a new music bar in Rhyl have been given the go-ahead despite concerns from members of a religious charity.
Denbighshire County Council received numerous objections after Mr Gary Longworth applied to the council’s planning department, seeking permission to change the use of an empty shop at 39 Wellington Road.
But Mr Longworth’s plans for a gallery and music bar were slammed by members of The Salvation Army who claimed the bar would be too close to their church.
The charity’s members objected to the plans because of potential noise and fears the bar could damage the recovery of people with addiction problems who are being helped by the church.
But at a meeting today at the council’s Ruthin HQ, planning officers advised councillors to back the plans.
Cllr Alan James proposed councillors voted in favour of the proposals.
“It has in the past, I believe, been a shop selling white goods,” he said.
“Clearly now the applicants have decided they want to go on another path. This looks like quite an exciting venture. I think there have been concerns raised that this business model won’t succeed. If we went down that route, nothing would ever get developed.
“So I’m so pleased that this particular applicant wants to change what is traditionally a normal bar model, pub, whatever, and going to make it a little bit more, hopefully, sophisticated.”
He added, “I’m more than happy to propose that we grant this.”
Council officers, too, said the council had legislation on its side if the bar got too noisy.
“We are satisfied there are sufficient controls in place. If noise is proven to be a problem from this venue, then we can control that,” said a planning officer.
Salvation Army member Diane Selby summed up the feeling of opposition in her letter to the council.
She wrote, “As a member of The Salvation Army, I am totally against this application for yet another pub/bar in the town, especially when it is in such close proximity to our church building.
“We work alongside several organisations to help those who are struggling with addiction and need help getting themselves back on the right track. Yet another drinking establishment, of which there are many in Rhyl, would only exacerbate an already big problem with alcohol and substance abuse.”
Councillors voted 24-0 in favour of the plans with no abstentions.
