Distillery faces planning hurdle after conversion

AN award-winning gin distillery may be left with a costly hangover if it fails to secure retrospective planning permission.

Despite fears for the safety of drinkers next to a busy road, in April Chew Valley Distillery secured an expanded licence to sell alcohol to drink on or off the Chew Magna premises daily until 11.45pm, offer two tasting events a week for up to 28 people and use the outside seating until 8pm.

Villagers’ concerns have been aired again as the business seeks planning permission it says it did not know it needed when it converted Wellington Gallery, a former hair salon.

Objectors said the move “made a mockery” of the planning system and the business would have a “massive” impact as drinkers flocked to it after the village pubs closed.

The planning application, filed on behalf of Joe Kelly, whose family also run the Lazy Lobster restaurant in the village, says: “The applicant’s family have been long-term leaseholders of the property with a hairdressing and beauty therapist operating for many years before the current use was established.

“In making the change in 2020 they were unaware that planning permission was required. The current use commenced operation in December 2020 and following a complaint made to the council in April 2021 the planning enforcement team investigated an alleged breach of planning.”

The property now features a micro distillery, gin school, bar with space for 24 customers and shop selling gins and craft beers.

The application says: “The use would appear to be entirely appropriate for the centre of Chew Magna and helps draw customers into the area. It has also allowed the applicant to establish a fairly unique business which capitalises on the market interest in gin.

“As a local entrepreneur, he has been able to grow his business and generate employment opportunities for others.”

Chew Magna Parish Council said it was in an “invidious” position because it could not comment before the business opened, and asked for the matter to be referred to Bath and North East

Somerset Council’s scrutiny committee and the Planning Inspectorate. It later objected when the plans were upgraded from a change of use to a full planning application and voiced concerns for the “historically fragile environment”, warning that the nearby junction between Tunbridge Road and the B3130 was potentially unsafe.

“It is obvious that the narrow, raised unguarded pavement immediately outside the entrance to the identified part of the building, including a protrusion of steps up to the entrance, is unsafe for both customers and the passing public,” it said.

There have also been objections from nine residents, many of whom also opposed the licensing application.

Kate Kew said it was not acceptable for the distillery to “ask for forgiveness rather than permission” when the quality of people’s lives was at stake, and it “makes a mockery” of the planning process.

“Allowing this to become a walk-in drinking establishment, serving all manner of alcoholic drinks and being open until 11.45pm every night will attract many more drinkers than the existing retail business,” she said.

“Drinkers will flock to it after all the other establishments close and as a result it will have a much bigger and detrimental impact in the village than the hairdresser or retail gin distillery.

“This massive impact will obviously be felt greatest by the immediate neighbours, of which we are one, and with many having small children’s bedrooms directly opposite.”

Peter Kew was concerned about further expansion, saying in his objection: “Left unchecked, within no time at all Chew Valley Distillery will become a behemoth within the conservation boundary. Approving this retrospective plan would be approving village domination by stealth.

“For the sake of its reputation, and to avoid setting a potentially devastating precedent, planning control cannot allow approval of this plan to happen.”

Others complained about noise, traffic and parking.

> Chew Valley Distillery