Plans lodged to create new hot food takeaway at key Durham City site

Earlier in May, a planning application was lodged with Durham County Council for 37 North Road.

This included a change of use of a ground floor business unit, currently classed as a dental surgery, to a hot food takeaway.

A planning statement submitted on behalf of the applicant provides more details on the proposal, which is expected to create two new full-time jobs.

It reads: “The application proposes to convert the ground floor premises and should it be successful it would be the applicant’s intention to undertake minor internal alterations to facilitate the change of use such as the provision of a new kitchen area and decorative upgrades to the front-of-house service area.

“The application concerns only the proposed change of use of the building with any further works such as alterations to the shopfront or provision of advertising to be the subject of separate applications where necessary.

“Consequently, no external changes are proposed to the building at this stage.”

The planning statement adds that the first floor offices, which are currently vacant, would be retained and are outside the scope of the application.

Meanwhile, applicants said they would ensure that suitable extraction equipment would be used at the hot food takeaway which is capable of preventing noise and odour from cooking smells from being “harmful to nearby residents.”

The planning statement goes on to say: “Subject to accordance with conditions, the proposed change of use is considered to be locationally acceptable and is capable of being introduced into the area without harmful effects on neighbouring businesses or residents.

“The proposals are considered to be acceptable in accordance with Policy 30 of the County Durham Plan and would result in the re-use of a vacant building in an edge-of-centre location.

“A sustainable form of development would be achieved which would contribute towards the overall vitality of the area in line with the aspirations of the development plan.”

A decision on the plans is expected by mid-July.

For more information on the planning application or to track its progress, visit Durham County Council’s planning portal and search reference: DM/21/01752/FPA

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