A decision on whether a former Welwyn Garden City post office can be turned into a fish and chip shop is set to be made at a council meeting later today (Thursday, July 25).

The plans, submitted by Grieg Hutchinson, would see the old Handside Post Office in Marsden Road become a fish and chip shop.

Mr Hutchinson is seeking permission for a change of use that would allow the building to be used as a takeaway.

It has been empty since April 2019, when the Post Office moved into the Nisa store in nearby Handside Lane. 

READ MORE

A decision will be made by the council's Development Management Committee, rather than council officers, after it was called in by Cllr Gemma Moore (Handside) and former Cllr Fiona Thomson, who lost her seat in May.

The application was called in after an "unusually high" level of public interest. Members of the public raised concerns about the impact on neighbours, and issues potentially arising from such a development in a Conservation Area.

34 people wrote to the council to object to the proposal, while seven wrote in support.

A number of objectors are worried that traffic in the area will get worse, while one supporter, a Marsden Road resident, said "new businesses to the area should be encouraged, especially given that the unit has been empty for a number of years".

The council's planning officer dealing with the application has recommended that councillors vote to grant permission for the change of use.

They concluded that concerns about opening hours and potential noise and smells could be alleviated via conditions, and that the proposal would not have a "significant adverse impact upon the character and appearance of the area" or on living conditions for neighbours.

Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council's Development Management Committee meet at 7.30pm today.