AN outspoken councillor is ‘outraged’ after a garden barber shop was given the green light despite his demands that the proposal be ‘called in’ for further scrutiny after complaints.
Cllr Alan Amos said he was ‘on the warpath’ after plans for the barber shop, Barbering by Jessica, were approved under delegated powers despite concerns about parking and noise.
The Reform UK councillor spoke of his frustration after the scheme at a garden in 3 Heron Close in Lower Wick, Worcester was approved despite his belief that more discussion was needed.
One resident said: “Noise from the salon has become intrusive into the rear of our house especially our garden which we like to enjoy.
“The salon door is frequently left open particularly during warmer weather, meaning conversations between the barber and clients are clearly audible to us and others whose properties adjoin No 3. When the hairdryer is used voices are raised, increasing the disturbance.”
Cllr Amos, who argued there could be a case for ‘judicial review’, said he had wanted to place the application under further scrutiny after neighbours had raised concerns, including ‘increased traffic and unsafe parking’.
Most routine and minor applications are now strictly decided by senior planning officers under delegated powers to speed up the process – but Cllr Amos said he asked for this application to be called in ‘months ago’.
However, Lewis Bennett, a dad-of-three, speaking after plans were approved by Worcester City Council planning on Monday, defended the business which is run by his wife.
He said the small, family business generated no noise and no disturbance for neighbours with four spaces on the drive to accommodate their ‘loyal and lovely customers’.
CONTROVERSEY: A general view of Heron Close in Lower Wick, Worcester, where a barber shop in a residential garden has been given the green light under delegated powers (Image: Google Street View)
Mr Bennett added that the business was ‘one customer in and one customer out’ with a 10 minute gap between each one.
However, the Lower Wick and Pitmaston city councillor and Bedwardine county councillor said he was “absolutely outraged’ the business was given the green light at the cul-de-sac.
Barbering by Jessica had already been operating before a retrospective planning application was submitted.
According to planning documents, the submitted site plan identifies four parking spaces within the frontage of the site, comprising two spaces serving the dwelling and two spaces associated with the barber’s shop.
Cllr Alan Amos said: “I am absolutely outraged that a decision has been made since I called-in this application several months ago well before the call-in process was to be abolished. No officer contacted me to say that the application was out of time for that.
“I have just checked with the Planning Committee Secretary who has confirmed that a decision was made, and she has the e-mail trail to prove that officers have clearly mismanaged this. I have put in a call in to speak to the Council’s Managing Director and the Head of Planning. I am on the warpath about this duplicity, incompetence and inconsistency.”
Mr Amos also described the decision to allow a business to operate from a garden six days a week as “outrageous.”
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However, Lewis Bennett, speaking on behalf of the business, said: “We have done everything in our power we’re supposed to do. We are happy to abide by the conditions put forward by the council. We’re a young family trying to get on in hard times.”
Planning documents show that the Highway Authority raised initial concerns regarding the adequacy of parking provision and the potential impact of the retrospective barber’s salon on highway safety, noting the site’s location on a residential cul-de-sac with narrow footways.
However, following the submission of additional information, the Highway Authority confirmed that it has no objection to the proposal, subject to conditions.
“The Highway Authority was satisfied that the proposal would operate as a small-scale home business, subject to restrictions controlling staffing, customer numbers, opening hours and appointment arrangements. It was also noted that four on site parking spaces are proposed, together with an extension to the existing dropped kerb. A condition was recommended requiring the dropped kerb to be extended within three months of any permission being granted, in the interests of highway safety,” the statement read.
The proposal is not expected to generate a significant level of vehicle movements.
We have approached Worcester City Council for comment.