Planners approve Weighbridge Café extension

Tuesday 30 May 2023

A covered outdoor seating area and a movable catering trailer can be installed outside St. Julian’s Weighbridge, after Planning gave the seal of approval to the respective planning applications.

The proposed seating area is a single story pitched roof building to the south of, but not physically connected to, the protected Weighbridge.

But planners rejected the use of “composite cladding” on the seating area, with samples of pure timber for the walls and roof, and fenestration, to be approved by the department prior to construction.

The planning report states that “it is understood that the trailer is required for a temporary period in order to consider a more permeant solution… in order to improve the services and facilities of” the business, namely the permanent enclosed seating area.

The applicants – Silvester Group - wish to use the outside facilities as an extension of the inside business, but also to cater for special events between the hours of 07:00 and 00:00. 

They also applied for a two-year temporary stay for the trailer, but planners reduced this to one year.

The site is a Conservation and a Harbour Action Area in the Island Development Plan.

Pictured: Both structures are planned to be placed against the south elevation of the Weighbridge. 

Eight letters of representation were sent, all of which objected to the application - including the National Trust of Guernsey.

The main concerns were the design of the structure next to a heritage building and the “impact of the development on the fabric and setting of the protected building”. 

While the design contrasts with Victorian architecture of the site, planners said the scale of the seating area would be “subservient” to the Weighbridge.

“Overall, the proposed building would result in a development that visually contrasts, but respects, the traditional architecture of the Weighbridge. 

“It does not represent significant harm to the fabric of the protected building, its setting, nor the character and appearance of the Conservation Area to reasonably justify refusal.

Planners also noted that the catering trailer would be reflective and “visually prominent” in the area, but since it is a temporary structure that will be removed once the building is constructed it should be permitted.

On balance, they said the developments would support the “vitality” of the town centre which is a “key objective of the IDP”. 

Pictured: A mock up of the covered seating area. Credit: CCD Limited.