Farnworth: Decision on food and drink destination on King Street

The applicant, Shadow Estates Ltd, applied for planning permission for the site on King Street Retail Park around two months ago.

Towards the end of last year an application for eight shipping containers to be added to the site was refused by the council as a result of its impact on the appearance and character of the area and the street scene.

However this application for six shipping containers to be added to the site, less than six months later, was resubmitted with changes to address this impact.

It was approved by the council this month after there were no comments on a consultation.

The application stated: "The two middle units which would have had their backs to King Street have been removed and the two end units which would have had their backs to King Street have additional openings which look out on to King Street and are more opening to King Street which does not harm the street scene.

"With the two units removed it has opened the space and it has made room for additional outdoor seating with built-in planters. The colours have been changed to colours which resemble the area."

A report said the creation of a food and drink destination could contribute to the economy thanks to six full-time jobs.

It said it could complement Capital & Centric's regeneration of the town centre across the road at Farnworth Green.

It said: "It is considered the proposal could support the regeneration of the town centre and aid pedestrian permeability, providing an efficient use of land and providing additional choice within an urban area. The proposal could support economic objectives insofar as it will generate six full-time jobs.

"In principle therefore, it is considered the proposal could be acceptable, provided it accords with the policies within the National Planning Policy Framework and the Development Plan as a whole."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.