Plan to convert Scarborough salon into flats and cafe blocked

​Tamby Seeneevassen’s plan to create two flats at the lower ground and first floor, alongside a café, at 67-69, Castle Road in Scarborough have been rejected over concerns about fire safety and the size of the proposed flats.

​The proposed lower-ground flat would have been accessed via an existing side door on Silver Street and the proposed first-floor flat would have been accessed from the front of the café.

​Officers said that the absence of private access to the first-floor flat would be a “wholly unacceptable arrangement which would not allow for a secure or reasonable access”.

​The council’s housing team objected to the scheme over concerns about the flats’ fire safety and the size of the rooms and windows.

​The officer said: “I am concerned that the level of natural light and ventilation to the living room of the basement flat will be inadequate.

​“The minimum window area should equate to 10 per cent of the floor area, with at least 50 per cent of that window area being openable.

​“The proposed first-floor flat does not meet the minimum floor area for a single-person, one-bedroomed flat as prescribed by the National Space Standards, which would be 37m2. “

​Three members of the public also objected to the plans, citing concerns about “excessive odour from the café’s kitchen into the residential flats and excessive noise from the café”.

​However, planners noted that the council’s environmental health department had requested a pre-commencement condition for the provision of a noise and ventilation scheme “which would prevent harmful effects on these neighbours”.

​North Yorkshire Council concluded that the proposal would “fail to provide a satisfactory level of safety, space, light, ventilation, adequate fire escape and overall amenity, resulting in an unsafe and cramped living conditions to the detrimental harm of future occupants”.

​The application was refused by North Yorkshire Council.

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