Plans for coffee shop and flats at former bank

A PROPOSAL to turn Rhiwbina’s former Natwest bank into shops “should be turned down” according to planning officers.

Councillors on the planning committee have been advised to refuse the plans.

The application is to turn the former Natwest on Pantbach Road into a coffee shop, hairdressers and three flats.

Planners say the proposed building is “excessively large” and “would be out of keeping”.

The application says the coffee shop would be open from 8am to 8pm on Monday to Saturday and 9am until 5pm on Sundays. It would create 12 jobs. The hairdressers would be open Monday to Saturday and create five jobs.

The report says the main consideration for councillors to look at is the “impact” it would have.

“The proposed building would be highly prominent”.

A petition of 214 signatures hasbeen submitted to councillors opposing the scheme.

The reasons included in the objections are that the development would be out of keeping, it would create more traffic and that there is an insufficient number of parking spaces.

Planners say while some of the arguments put forward do not constitute reasons to turn the development down, the building would be out of keeping.

It also says “it would have an adverse impact on the amenities of neighbouring residents and users of the adjoining community hall”.

It references residents on Heol Y Bont and those with gardens at the rear of Canolfan Beulah.

Planners will meet today to consider the application.