Plans for a new 'waffle and shakes bar' in Stockport have hit a stumbling block after councillors demanded more detail on the venue’s toilet facilities.
Shakedown - which also has restaurants in Withington and Wythenshawe - wants to add a third location near Cheadle Hulme railway station, in Stockport.
The company, also known for its burgers, has applied to take over a former education centre at Metropolitan House, in Station Road.
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With seating for 24 people, it would feature an Instagram zone where customers photograph themselves with an ‘artistic display’ before sharing their images on social media.
The proposal went before Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South area committee on Thursday night - but councillors refused to back the scheme, citing a lack of detail and information.
Members raised concerns that facilities for customers appeared to consist of just one disabled toilet.
Despite being advised the internal layout was not a planning consideration, councillors were not prepared to support the change-of-use proposal.
Coun Mark Hunter said: “It’s not the layout, it’s the provision of basic facilities. There are no public conveniences in that vicinity.
“The concern we would have as members - and I’m sure it’s an understandable one - is that if there are insufficient facilities being provided, logic dictates people are going to have to make ‘alternative arrangements’, to phrase it as delicately as I can.
“And that is most definitely not something we would want to encourage anywhere, let alone in the middle of this area. I just find the advice baffling that it’s not a relevant consideration.”
Coun Hunter said there were ‘too many questions’ left unanswered - and it was ‘poor’ that the applicant had not attended the meeting to give further details.
His views were shared by Coun Brian Bagnall - who said the number of toilets would be relevant to the licensing committee should the venue plan to sell alcohol on the premises.
However, it was not clear whether this was the case and the applicant was not present to clear the matter up.
Further concerns were raised over the number of parking spaces at the restaurant.
Although 16 bays would be available after 5.30pm, only three of these would be dedicated for customer use during the daytime.
Coun Hunter told the meeting: “The issue is that this planning application [is] for a restaurant which will be open from 12 noon.
“Parking in the centre of Cheadle Hulme during the day is terribly difficult at the best of times.
“If open from 12 noon means it’s going to be open all afternoon - and attract a clientele that will want to support it throughout the afternoon - I’m not clear where those people are going to park.”
Councillors were advised that, even if there were no dedicated parking spaces, it was likely the application would still be recommended for approval.
Case officer Jane Chase explained that planners expected businesses to be concentrated in district centres, while Cheadle Hulme was also well-served by public transport and other car parks.
However, councillors were not happy to support the application as it stood.
They unanimously agreed it should be escalated to the main planning committee, with the applicant told to provide further information in respect of toilet facilities and whether the premises would be licensed.
Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme South area committee met at Fred Perry House on Thursday night (January 27).
