Appeal 6002494

The appeal is allowed and planning permission is granted for alterations to shop front entrance doors and installation of metal security shutter at [site address] , Rothwell, Leeds, [postcode] in accordance with the terms of the application, Ref 25/00785/FU, subject to the following conditions:

The development hereby permitted shall be carried out in accordance with the following approved plans: 22-103; 22-107; 22-104; and 22-110.

Full details of the perforated security shutter shall be submitted to the Local Planning Authority prior to installation. The approved details shall then be fully implemented and retained thereafter.

The original description of development within the application form includes amendments to opening hours which no longer form part of the proposal. Whilst the proposal is described as retrospective, the existing security shutter is solid metal. However, the appeal form describes the metal security shutter as perforated. As such, I have based my decision on the plans provided, including the use of a perforated metal security shutter. I have used the description of development within the decision notice as this is a more accurate description of the proposed development.

The main issue is the effect of the proposal on the character and appearance of the area.

The appeal site forms a commercial property adjacent to [address]. The area surrounding the appeal site is primarily residential with dwellings set back from the highway by small front gardens. Low boundary treatments allow for the majority of the front elevations to be visible from the street scene, with their front windows giving the street scene an engaging and open frontage.

The appeal site forms a short row of three commercial premises. Their architecture is varied and they are set back from the highway. Whilst there is an InPost locker located forward of the front elevation of one of these, their front elevations remain largely open with extensive glazing, including that of the appeal property, contributing to the aforementioned active frontage.

The proposed changes to the front glazing remain respectful to the character of the property and consistent with its retail function. A solid metal shutter would cause harm to the existing open frontage of the street scene. However, the use of perforated metal shutters would retain a permeance, allowing the front glazing to be visible from the street scene and maintain its open and active character.

As such, the proposed development would have an acceptable effect on the character and appearance of the area. Therefore, it would not conflict with the relevant provisions of Policy P10 of the Core Strategy Leeds Local Plan (2014) and Policies GP5 and BD7 of the Leeds Unitary Development Plan (2006). These policies require development to use open mesh grills where they include security measures, and respect the character of surrounding buildings and the street.

A condition is necessary, for certainty and enforceability, requiring that the development is carried out in accordance with the approved plans.

A condition has been attached requiring full details of the roller shutters in the interests of the character and appearance of the area.

For the reasons given above the appeal should be allowed.