A POPULAR Padgate fish and chip shop has had an ambitious planning application struck down by the council.

The Plaice Station, which can be found at Padgate Station, has seen a planning proposal refused by Warrington Borough Council's planning department.

As suggested by documents on the planning portal, it is believed that the plans relate to an ambition to transform a disused railway carriage into a restaurant/cafe area associated with the fish and chip shop.

The official description of the now-rejected application is as follows: "Proposed permeable surface to existing levels, entrance wall/gate/fencing, and timber structures to include cover seating/seating pods/delicatessen stall/lighting."

This is the latest planning application for the popular chip shop.

In 2021, the 'proposed siting of railway carriage and associated fixings, for ancillary seating for the adjacent building' was approved with conditions by the council, and in 2022 the conditions were discharged by the applicant.

However, the latest officers' report implies that there has been insufficient information provided with the planning application, leaving the council with no option but to strike it down.

One point raised in the report explains that if associated seating areas are to be approved for the fish and chip shop then the owner would need to apply to change the use of the building from a takeaway to a restaurant.

The report explains that three letters of objection were received from the general public, with grievances being raised regarding the impact of a potential development on matters such as:

  • Residential amenities
  • Accessibility
  • Parking
  • Disposal of waste

No objections were received from local councillors, or the council's environmental, transport, and conservation departments.

The officer's report acknowledges that a development of this nature could be a positive change for the area, despite the lack of information provided in the application.

It states: "The scheme would enable the continued use of the locally listed building and many of the external works such as the placement of seating and lighting columns, would be reversible.

"As such the less than substantial harm is considered to be outweighed by these benefits."

The application was ultimately refused on the following grounds: "Insufficient information, in particular in the form of a sequential assessment, is provided with the application to assess the suitability of a restaurant/café use at the site of an established hot food takeaway outside of a defined centre.

"Due to lack of detailed information regarding the proposed land levels and proposed use of the site, it has not been demonstrated that the development would not result in unacceptable harm to the living conditions of surrounding residents.

"The proposal would not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area nor does it comply with the development plan and therefore does not comprise sustainable development."

This application was refused by Warrington Borough Council on November 22.