Controversial coffee shop will come to Pangbourne

The plans to change the use of an A1 retail building to a mixed use A1/A3 Costa coffee outlet was approved at a council meeting held last Wednesday.
The outlet will replace the former Premier Pet Store on Reading Road in a town centre that already has four coffee shops.
Objections had previously been raised by Pangbourne Parish Council and local residents who set up a petition against it. Dawyfdd Williams and wife Rhianon who own local café Food Kick have 220 signatures opposed to the plan so far.
Explaining the planning officers’ initial recommendation for refusal Andrew Herron, planning officer, said: “The site lies in a conservation area and more importantly lies in the primary shopping frontages.
“This could be harmful to the vitality of the retail shopping area. The development is unacceptable.”
The council officers cited policy Shop 1 which recommends the refusal of any change from class A1 to other uses when it is within primary shopping frontages at Newbury, Hungerford, Thatcham,
Theale and Pangbourne when it would “result in a concentration of non-retail uses, which would be harmful to the vitality of the shopping area.”
Chairman of the parish council John Higgs said: “The parish council wish to object to the application. This could be harmful to the vitality of the shopping centre. The parish council also has concerns about the forecourt and its use.
“We support the officers’ recommendation to object to the application.”
Matthew Phillips, who was speaking on behalf of applicant Bristal Investments Ltd was present to defend the proposal. He said: “Shop 1 was amended in 2007 and this is now seven years old. Coffee shops are now a significant driver in maintaining and improving the high street. They encourage people to spend money and spend their time there.
“I believe it should be approved.”
Richard Crumly (Cons, Thatcham Central) went on to say: “Costa is a successful enterprise. Wouldn’t it bring people to Pangbourne and so more people visiting the shops and around the village?”
Planning officer Andrew Mellon replied “It may well do.”
On debating the issue, fellow councillors then went on to express their support for the proposal.
Councillor Alan Law (Cons, Basildon) said: “I recommend approval on balance. Shop 1 was devised in 1991 when there wasn’t a coffee culture; the whole idea of retail has changed a lot since then.
People who come to visit will be attracted by the coffee shop. I make a proposal to accept.”
Mr Crumly said: “I feel on balance I would want to support this and it would be a great benefit to the high street.”
Councillor Keith Chopping (CON, Sulhamstead) added: “I personally have no problem with it.”
The issue went to a vote and the application for the new Costa was approved unanimously.