A HONG Kong café has been told it must submit a planning application to the council – despite already being open.

Warrington Borough Council has received a retrospective application for a change of use from hot food takeaway to café and takeaway.

This is by applicant Reunion Kart Noodles Company, which has opened a traditional Hong Kong-style noodle café on Priory Street in Wilderspool.

It says an enforcement officer from the council visited the premises and informed the owner that it must apply for retrospective permission, as planning permission was not granted at the time.

Planning documents state that the business has four full-time employees, with opening hours of 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm on Saturdays, and 9am to 1pm on Sundays.

They say: “The application site comprises a two-storey, end-of-terrace unit with living accommodation at first-floor level.

“The premises previously operated as a hot food takeaway prior to the current use as a café, commencing earlier this year.

“The applicant leases the ground floor of the premises and has occupied the premises since the middle of the year, as a café providing food and drink for consumption on the premises in the main.

“This change of use from hot food takeaway to café took place without planning permission and was subject to an enforcement investigation by the local planning authority.

“This invited the submission of this retrospective planning application to regularise the current use of the site.”

Documents add: “It is considered that the proposed change of use will have a positive impact on the vitality and viability of the surrounding area, providing a meeting hub for the community and nearby workers, while removing a non-conforming late-night use which had the potential to detrimentally impact the amenities of nearby residents.

“The current use has resulted in a formerly vacant building being brought back into productive use, improving footfall in the area and creating an active frontage, as well as contributing to the daytime economy and providing much-needed local employment opportunities.

“It is for the reasons set out in this statement that planning permission should be granted for this application, to enable this use to continue to operate.”