Time has been called on further expansion of the late night economy in the City Road/ Crwys Road area after South Wales Police and Cardiff Council won an appeal to prevent a ground floor retail unit from being converted into a restaurant.
The proposed restaurant, at 177 City Road was to have been located on a busy thoroughfare in the middle of predominantly residential properties.
The area is seen as a prime location for opening of licensed premises, restaurants and take-away outlets. This has led to an ever expanding late night economy.
While the individual premises appear to be well managed; the congregation of pubs, restaurants and take-aways in the area has led to frequent problems of crime, disorder and nuisance in the streets.
In adopting the special saturation policy the City Council and the police recognised that any further licensed premises in the area would have a negative effect and lead to increased levels of crime and disorder.
The data that was used to support the adoption of the licensing saturation policy has enabled the police to provide informed representations on planning applications in the City Road area.
Whilst every application has to be considered on its merits, the evidence of crime and disorder in the area combined with the increased problems associated with the late night economy, as detailed in police data, has supported the refusal of 8 planning applications for new food and drink premises in City Road over the past 6 months.
Chief Superintendent Josh Jones, Divisional commander for Cardiff said “Cardiff is a great place to come for a night out. Visitors and surveys tell us it is a top destination. It also needs to be a safe place and one where the needs of the local community are considered. This saturation policy helps get the balance right “
“The late night economy acts as a draw for people to come into the area many of whom are ‘preload’ with alcohol, drinking cheaper brands at home before making their way to the restaurant area, already the worse the wear for drink”
In November 2009 an Appeal was made to the Welsh Assembly Government, Planning Inspectorate against Cardiff City Councils refusal to grant planning permission to convert the ground floor of a former retail premises to a restaurant at 177 City Road.
In dismissing the appeal the Welsh Assembly Governments Planning Inspector acknowledged;
That there was a concentration of restaurants, bars, cafes and take aways in the area.
Evidence from the police demonstrated that crime in the City Road area was heading for a 22% rise against a background of falling crime levels in the South Wales Police area. Significantly much of this crime occurred between 2100hrs and 0600hrs and involved violence and anti-social behaviour.
Police analysis demonstrated a very strong correlation between the concentration of late night economy premises and crime levels. The concentration of such premises attracts large numbers of people who are pre loaded with alcohol, and research supports the view that view that people who consume alcohol are more likely to commit crime and more vulnerable to becoming a victim of crime.
Both UK and Welsh Assembly Government Policies make it clear that crime prevention and the fear of crime may be material considerations in the determination of planning applications.
On basis of the Police evidence the Planning Inspector was satisfied that the application would exacerbate problems and has a harmful effect on public safety.
The inspector did not accept the applicant’s assertion that another restaurant would add more choice.
Chief Superintendent Josh Jones added “ This is a landmark ruling for us. It supports our assertion that crime and disorder should be a material factor when considering such applications. By effectively supporting the saturation policy this decision will stop any further exacerbation of the problem. Cardiff has seen dramatic reduction in crime in the past two years and this ruling will help us continue to move in the right direction “
Councillor Patricia Burfoot, Chair of Cardiff Council’s Planning Committee, said: “Cardiff Councils Planning Committee welcomed the fact that the Inspector recognised the issues with the application and had endorsed the decision of the Committee.
