Plans to replace a pub with a new café and takeaway in a Lanarkshire village have been given the green light.
The Damside Inn, located in Allanton, is to be transformed into a café and hot food takeaway after North Lanarkshire Council planners gave the go ahead for a change in the building’s use.
Planning documents state that the unit will be sub divided into two different disciplines but will remain as one unit with communal staff storage kitchen and toilet facilities and would have a combined gross floor area of 185sqm.
The café's opening hours will be from 7am to 3pm. On the same site the village shop, which is open for business, is open from 6pm to 10pm.
In her report, planning officer Mary Anne Watson stated: “The property was previously a public house, and therefore a non-conforming use within the surrounding residential area and one which could have given rise to noise and disturbance at unsocial hours such as coming and going of patrons late in the evening, loud talking whilst outside smoking, and unruly behaviour by drunk people.
“The proposed shop and café/takeaway could also give rise to some impacts on neighbours, but these are likely to be less than those arising from the previous pub use.
“There may be more coming and going of vehicles, but the proposed opening hours end earlier in the evening and there is less potential for antisocial behaviour or late night noise at closing time.”
Two letters of support and two letters of objection were received through the neighbour notification and advertisement process.
The letters of support, from MSP Neil Gray and MP Anum Qaiser, indicate that the property would become a new Post Office for Allanton which would obviously be a valuable public service.
However, according to the planning documents this has still to be confirmed.
Objections mainly related to amenity, parking and roads issues.
Ms Watson added: “The proposed development is considered acceptable in this location as it would bring vacant commercial building back into use and is considered to integrate satisfactorily with the existing character of the area.
“Bearing in mind the previous use of the property, the proposal is not likely to detract from the established residential amenity of the area.”
*Don't miss the latest headlines from around Lanarkshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.
