News: Pub plans recommended for approval

Resubmitted plans for a micro pub at a popular Rotherham retail village are being recommended for approval - but only for a trial period to assess the impact of the proposals.

The plans are for Deer Park Tap at Deer Park Farm, a family run business based at Thrybergh that has evolved into a destination now offering bespoke furniture, antiques, a cafe and a farm shop.

Having earlier been refused planning permission by Rotherham Council, plans have been updated to deal with noise concerns raised by nearby residents.

Work to create the Deer Park Tap was completed last year and an alcohol licence was in place, but the planning application was refused. The council even authorised enforcement action to secure the cessation of the use of part of the building as a public house (sui generis), and the removal of the associated external seating area.

The updated plans are due to be discussed at the council's planning board this week and planning officers are recommending that they are passed.

A report to the planning board explains: "The proposals include additional screening noise mitigation measures to be undertaken to the outdoor seating area that is proposed at the southern end of the building, and the removal of a seating area that was proposed (and refused) at the front of the building under the previous proposal.

"Indoor toilet facilities will be provided inside the building to avoid patrons using toilet facilities outside of the building. In addition, the three separate front doors of the former 3 retail units within Building B would be reduced to a single door at the southern end of the eastern elevation of the building (the previously refused scheme included a central door for the bar and the retention of a door for the southern retail unit that was to be retained under that proposal)."

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The Noise Impact Assessment concludes that; “with the provision of mitigation measures as proposed, noise associated with the external seating area is considered to be negligible at the nearest noise sensitive receptors.”

Environmental health at the council agree that the measures are likely to reduce the noise levels that were identified as being a problem previously.

The proposal would introduce a public house use that would be open throughout the day every day from 12:00 until 21:00 seven days a week.

The Council said that it has received 160 individual representations in support of the application and four representations objecting to the application which are immediate neighbours to the site.

Officers are proposing that the scheme is granted planning permission with a number of conditions - notably that the permission is only for 12 month period to allow further assessment of the suitability of the site for the proposed use.

The report adds: "There is uncertainty as to whether or not the noise from people talking will cause an adverse impact on nearby residential properties, and it is recommended that permission is granted for a temporary 12 month period to allow further assessment of the suitability of the site prior to recommending permanent permission." It would also give time to assess the noise impact from the use of this car park.

Deer Park Retail Village website

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News: Rotherham micro pub plans back in

Operators are hoping for more to cheer with a second round of plans for a micro pub at a popular Rotherham retail village.

Having earlier been refused planning permission by Rotherham Council, plans have been updated to deal with noise concerns raised by nearby residents.

Rothbiz reported last year on plans at Deer Park Farm, a family run business based at Thrybergh that has evolved into a destination now offering bespoke furniture, antiques and a farm shop.

The application involved rearranging the current buildings in order to create a retail unit in a current storage building to be occupied by an antiques emporium. A separate building would then see the three current retail units changed into one drinking establishment and one retail unit (a flower studio). A third building containing the tea rooms would remain unchanged.

Work to create the Deer Park Tap was completed last year and an alcohol licence was in place, but the planning application was refused.

The decision was made without going before the Council's planning board and officers concluded: "The Council considers that the proposed public house and associated outside seating area (use class Sui Generis) would be in conflict with the residential properties on Arran Hill and Church View by introducing a use which would lead to unacceptable levels of noise nuisance and general disturbance to local residents during the daytime and evening in this residential location."

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The council even authorised enforcement action to secure the cessation of the use of part the building as a public house (sui generis), and the removal of the associated external seating area.

Now new plans show that outdoor seating will be removed entirely from the south-eastern elevation of the development and new outdoor seating would be located to the west of the proposed development utilising the screening provided by another building on the site.

Solid timber fences will be installed around the outdoor seating in order to provide additional screening for the residential dwellings to the south on Arran Hill and west on Church View.

In addition, new toilets would be provided internally to avoid customers using externally located toilets. The adjoining retail unit (florist) would become part of the proposed bar forming a new entrance to the bar located at the western (partially screened) end of the building.

A noise report concludes that, given the ambient noise from the nearby main road and "with the provision of mitigation measures as proposed, noise associated with the external seating area is considered to be negligible."

Deer Park Retail Village website

Images: Deer Park Tap / Facebook

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News: Rotherham micro pub plans turned down

Operators have been refused planning permission for a micro pub at a popular Rotherham retail village.

Rothbiz reported in August on plans at Deer Park Farm, a family run business based at Thrybergh that has evolved into a destination now offering bespoke furniture, antiques and a farm shop.

The application involved rearranging the current buildings in order to create a retail unit in a current storage building to be occupied by an antiques emporium. A separate building would then see the three current retail units changed into one drinking establishment and one retail unit (a flower studio). A third building containing the tea rooms is set to remain unchanged.

Work to create the Deer Park Tap was completed last year.

An application to vary the premises licence for the property was approved by Rotherham Council's Licensing Sub-Committee in September. It enables the sale of alcohol (for consumption on and off the premises) between 10am and 8:30pm Monday to Saturday and 11am and 8:30pm on Sundays.

However, the connected planning application, relating to the use of the buildings, has now been refused.

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The decision was made without going before the planning board and officers concluded: "The Council considers that the proposed public house and associated outside seating area (use class Sui Generis) would be in conflict with the residential properties on Arran Hill and Church View by introducing a use which would lead to unacceptable levels of noise nuisance and general disturbance to local residents during the daytime and evening in this residential location, and as such the proposal is considered to be contrary to ... [the] Local Plan."

Hannah Kent from the council's Environmental Health department, added: "I note that we have received complaints of noise, odour and rats being seen on the site in relation to the current usage, and there are numerous objections from neighbours concerned with a loss of amenity in relation to noise, odour, light and the location being so close with a direct line of site into their homes. I concur with their concerns and recognise that the proposal has the potential to significantly impact the amenity of the nearby residents."

A noise assessment submitted by the applicants concluded that the "noise associated with the development is considered to be negligible" due in part to the nearby road noise but Environmental Health disagreed, adding that numerous residents had already made complaints of noise from patrons and that "a raised human voice is clearly discernible in comparison to vehicle noise and as such is more intrusive."

Deer Park Retail Village website

Images: Deer Park Farm / Facebook

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News: Objections to new Rotherham venues

Two new venues in Rotherham have both come up against opposition as they pursue alcohol licences.

Rothbiz has reported recently on plans for FIKA Coffee Lounge at Wickersley and a micropub to open alongside existing deli and tearooms at Deer Park Farm in Thrybergh.

At Wickersley, applicant, Rebecca Guest, has applied to the Council for a licence for the sale by retail of alcohol and the playing of music for a new venture in an empty unit on The Tanyard. The plan is to open a restaurant / café open from 8am to 11pm with alcohol on sale between 11am and 11pm.

The area of Wickersley village has been designated as a Cumulative Impact Zone and applicants "must be able to demonstrate to the Council and other responsible authorities that granting a new or varied licence will not add to the cumulative impact already being experienced within the area."

Wickersley Parish Council are objecting with concerns that granting the licence would mean that the premises could be used principally as a drinking establishment which could add to the cumulative impact of premises already in the area - eg. noise, disturbance, litter, crime and disorder.

The applicant has explained the operating model which is unlikely to cause nuisance to local residents at a coffee lounge selling breakfasts, brunch, lunches and afternoon teas. It is only intended to open in the evenings for private bookings and special events.

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A representation from the parish council reads: "We have a remaining concern that, should the premises change hands at a future date, the suggested licence conditions would not prevent the premises being used as a mixed use cafe and bar so long as the primary use remained a cafe/restaurant. We have seen this happening at other venues within Wickersley.

"We would therefore like to see the suggested condition 1 being amended to read "The premises shall operate primarily as a coffee shop/restaurant with alcohol served only with a substantial food provision or buffet." The Parish Council considers this would allow Fika Coffee Lounge to operate as intended and allay our concerns about its future use."

A report shows that the Council's Licensing Service are of the view that "such a condition would be unenforceable in the absence of a clear definition of terms such as "substantial" and "buffet.""

The licence, and 23 attached conditions, was due to be discussed this week but the agenda for the Licensing Sub-Committee was withdrawn.

At Thrybergh, the plan is to rearrange the current building in order to create a new bar operating 10-9pm Monday to Saturday and 12-9pm on Sundays. External decking areas would also be used and a condition is included so that the licence holder shall ensure that consumption of alcohol does not take place within the customer car parks and is contained to the inside and seating areas.

A number of objections have been received from residents of nearby Arran Hill which overlooks the site.

The application was due before the Licensing Sub-Committee this week.

Deer Park Retail Village website

Images: Carter Towler

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News: Microbar plan for Rotherham retail complex

A Rotherham retail village created in a former farm is applying to operate a micropub alongside its existing deli and teamrooms.

Deer Park Farm is family run business based at Thrybergh and has evolved into a destination now offering bespoke furniture, antiques and a farm shop, having previously been used as a garage and car hire business.

The latest plans are to rearrange the current buildings in order to create a retail unit in a current storage building to be occupied by an antiques emporium. A separate building would then see the three current retail units changed into one drinking establishment and one retail unit (a flower studio). A third building containing the tea rooms is set to remain unchanged.

The plans, drawn up by DLP consultants, state: "Deer Park Farm is an important commercial use in the nearby area with the loss of Fosters Garden Centre having an impact on the diversity of commercial activity in the area. As a result, the change of use will support the local economy and help create wider development opportunities due to acting as a local employment hub."

Fosters, just over Doncaster Road, announced that it was closing in 2020.

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Plans show that there will be a few outdoor seats and the hours of operation will be 10-9pm Monday to Saturday and 12-9pm on Sundays.

Applicants also want to extend the car park.

A number of objections have been received from residents of nearby Arran Hill but the plans state: "The existing residential properties are of a sufficient distance from the application site so as not to be affected by the proposed change of use and will ensure an adequate living environment is maintained for these residents. In addition, the scale of the existing built form on the site will remain the same. As such the proposed development does not pose any potential overbearing impact on neighbouring properties nor is it deemed to be harmful to the immediate locality."

Deer Park Retail Village website

Images: Deer Park Retail Village

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