As we had predicted, Bolton’s Planning Committee approved the application by the Azhar Academy to change the use of 20 Devonshire Road into an Education Centre (planning class D1). It had become obvious at the previous meeting that it would be approved (either at Committee or on appeal). 

I therefore concentrated on getting improvements for the residents – particularly on the hours of opening (I held several informal discussions with the applicants during the meeting to get them to agree reduced hours). The main points which improved the application were;

• the idea of a ‘drop off’ zone was abandoned, thus saving the protected trees;
• a condition which would prevent it being changed to any other use within class D1 (for example to a place of worship) without a further planning application being needed;
• reduced hours of opening. The approved hours of operation will be (previously applied for in brackets):

             Monday to Friday                         10 am to 9 pm   (8 am to 10 pm)

             Saturday                                           10 am to 8 pm  (8 am to 10 pm) 

             Sunday and Bank Holidays      10 am to 6 pm  (8 am to 10 pm)

             Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and Easter Sunday   closed (8 am to 10 pm) 

• the applicant has agreed to establish a Liaison Committee with residents to attempt to minimise any problems.

Several Councillors wanted it to have longer hours, but the majority agreed with what we had persuaded to applicant to accept.

When the vote was taken, 16 Councillors voted in favour, 3 appeared to abstain – nobody voted against.

        

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