A PLANNING appeal has been lodged against East Hampshire District Council (EHDC) after its planning committee failed to make a decision over converting a former shop in Grayshott’s conservation area.

The former boutique fronting Oak View on Headley Road has been vacant for two years. The owner wants to use the small single room shop unit as a living room, incorporating it into the rest of the building which is already in residential use.

The appeal by Mr Bridgman, which will conducted in writing by a government planning inspector, followed planning members decision in November to defer the change of use application to give more time for the shop to be marketed. They also agreed there should be a reassessment of the internal layout and the rent.

Mr Bridgman said in his original application the shop has been advertised for eight months at £5,000 per year, but there had been no interest as the shop was too small at 13sq m, had no parking or toilet and no storage.

The shop front would be preserved, as it was an important feature in the conservation area.

But ward councillor Ferris Cowper said he knew of “lock-ups” that had been on the market for one year and were now very successful businesses.

He asked the committee for a deferral, saying while he believed there to be no grounds for refusal, there were grounds for saying the case for consent was not proven – and the area designated as the shop was not correct as there was a “significant property” behind it which was roughly double in size.

Mr Bridgman’s appeal on the grounds of non-determination that despite the EHDC planning case officer recommending permission be granted, councillors decided to refer the application to committee.

He claims to have followed the council’s advice during the planning process but accused the council of judging its policy on change of use on what it would like to see in the shopping centre in future – not what guidelines and rules are in place currently.

Mr Bridgman added: “In addition, by retaining and refurbishing the existing traditional shopfront the proposal seeks to preserve the character of the Conservation Area, while crucially, ensuring the building is put to an appropriate use.

“There is no obligation to market the property at all, but I took EHDC’s advice and marketed it for eight months. There is no additional space that can be reassessed to improve the layout – the space to the rear of the retail space is residential. The asking rent was not a hurdle to the shop being let.”

He also claimed there was no objection from EHDC’s conservation officer, members of the public or Grayshott Parish Council, although the latter has stated it was concerned about the “implications of the application”, namely that other retail units in the road could apply for a change of use to residential if one is granted permission.

This would have a serious detrimental affect on shops in Headley Road,

The owner also stated in his written appeal: “The shop has been vacant for around two years. It’s just not viable as a shop – it’s a small single room with minimal storage and no toilet or kitchen. It wasn’t even built originally as a shop. It would be unrealistic to expect anyone to staff a shop that doesn’t have at least a toilet and running water.”

He added: “If it were to change to residential it would not impact on the primary shopping area of Grayshott – it has already been closed for a considerable period of time and it won’t re-open because it’s not viable.

“Withholding permission for change of use will not suddenly make it viable – it will remain vacant. A retail business cannot be forced to operate there.

“Surely it is better to put it to worthwhile use as family accommodation rather than have it remain as a wasted empty retail space.”

Mr Bridgman asked the planning inspector that if the result of the appeal is for change of use to be granted, the parking condition requiring two spaces be removed.