Bar that opened in June refused planning permission

A WINE bar once part-owned by the deputy mayor of Barry has been refused planning permission – despite being open since June.

The Watering Hole in St Nicholas Road, Barry, was opened on June 14 by Leighton Rowlands, the current Barry deputy mayor and former mayor of the Vale of Glamorgan.

But the wine bar and coffee shop had opened without planning permission, which led to an investigation by the Vale of Glamorgan Council.

The council’s planning committee has now refused permission for the wine bar on the grounds it would mean “unacceptable noise and disturbance” for neighbours.

It means the council will begin enforcement action to stop the building being used as a coffee shop and wine bar.

Cllr Rowlands previously said he resigned as a business owner of The Watering Hole on June 19 – five days after it opened, with his former business parter Sam Lewis taking over.

A total of 25 people raised concerns about The Watering Hole, complaining about noise and disturbance from the premises, and parking overspill.

Barry Town Council objected to the plans, saying “the proposed development would have a detrimental effect upon the amenities that local residents currently enjoy due to possible noise, disturbance and traffic levels”.

Shared Regulatory Services, the licensing authority for the Vale of Glamorgan, also raised concerns.

A premises licence was granted but the change of use of the building was not authorised.