Gloucester businessman must pull down his illegal shopfront
A businessman who illegally installed a new shop front at his premises in a Gloucester city conservation area will now have to put back original architectural features.
Pestiwan Fattah, from First Choice Off License in Eastgate Street, put up new bright orange signs - then asked for planning permission.
Permission was refused and he's now been asked to take it all down and restore the original features.
He then appealed the decision but that was thrown out too.
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A Planning Inspector has dismissed his appeal against the refusal of planning permission by Gloucester City Council.
The unauthorised works resulted in the removal of the timber shop front, including the fascia, cresting, pilasters, brackets and recessed doorway and their replacement with an aluminium frontage with a steel roller blind.
Now the City Council has warned that attempting to 'ride roughshod' over the planning procedure can be a 'costly exercise.'
Dismissing the appeal, the Planning Inspector commented that the alterations to the shop in Eastgate Street had 'robbed the building of much of its historic character' and that 'the replacement lacked the detail, refinement and materials of the former frontage and degrades and impoverishes the architectural interest of the building as a whole.'
In 2009-2010 the City Council provided grants to businesses in Eastgate Street to help them improve their shop fronts and attract more business.
Council leader Paul James said: "We cannot allow all the good work that took place to be undone.
"This case should serve as a lesson to anyone who wants to ride rough shod over the planning process. It can be an expensive error."
The council will now be seeking the replacement of a traditional frontage to the shop and removal of the roller shutters.
Comments
by Pifaw
Monday, October 22 2012, 8:16AM
“Has anyone checked to see if he is an illegal ?”
by thomas1996
Sunday, October 21 2012, 11:06AM
“Good, serves him right. Mind you he's brave opening up an high street off licence with most of the supermarkets selling it cheaper and 24 hours a day?”
by TimMessanger
Sunday, October 21 2012, 1:23AM
“The grants were for work to improve the conservation area and there where strict requirements such as the removal of unlawful "LED signs". I have no sympathy for this muppet and hope that he is also charged for all legal costs that WE have incurred!”
by softtabor
Friday, October 19 2012, 6:23PM
“why no photo? Lazy write up!”