Convenience store approved at ex-pub

Plans to convert a former village pub into a convenience store in County Durham have been given the green light.

In December 2020, a planning application was lodged with Durham County Council to change the use of The Bay Horse Inn off Manor Street in Evenwood.

The pub has been vacant for some time with new shop plans aiming to bring jobs back to the site.

As part of the development, a new shop front was proposed alongside plans to remove the original bay window and porch and replace them with a door.

During consultation however, the plans sparked five objections from neighbours with concerns ranging from parking and anti-social behaviour to litter.

Other comments stated that the application was ‘part retrospective’ and questioned the need for another convenience store in the village.

After considering comments, Durham County Council’s planning department approved the convenience store plan.

Planners stated that the development was acceptable in terms of design and parking availability and would “bring the building back into use and secure its future.”

A decision report added that a shop was a “compatible use within residential areas” and that commercial competition was not a ‘material planning ground’ that could be taken into account.

The report goes on to say: “There is a large forecourt area to the front of the premises off the adopted highway which has historically been used for parking.

“Comments have been received over the way vehicles visiting neighbouring premises park on this area.

“In consideration of the concerns raised it is accepted that the proposed opening of a shop in this location will undoubtedly attract more pedestrian activity at the junction at varying times of the day.

“In general, whilst the increased pedestrian activity accessing the shop would increase the risk of an accident, this is not considered [too] significant to warrant a highway refusal on grounds of impact on highway safety.

“Senior colleagues within the council’s highway section have assessed the details and have raised no issue with this aspect of the proposal.”

The planning application for the convenience store was officially approved on January 27 2021, subject to planning conditions.

This included restricting opening hours to 6am-11pm, seven days a week.