Alfresco dining area has permission at city centre coffee shop

Sep 9 2010 by David Norbury, Chester Chronicle

AN ALFRESCO dining area had permission in the city centre.

The alfresco, with four tables and 12 chairs, was agreed at a coffee shop at 33 Northgate Street for applicants Mr and Mrs Fox.

A similar application had approval in 2004 according to planning officers at Cheshire West and Chester Council.

No objections were raised by conservation officers who described the alfresco as ‘modest’ and felt it would be a sufficient distance from one at the Dublin Packet.

Planners pointed out there are already a number of successful alfrescos in the city centre conservation area, some in Northgate Street.

They pointed out the idea is encouraged in the city centre to promote its vitality.

The alfresco would be directly in front of the coffee shop windows and it would not impede access to the door.

There would be a little disruption to pedestrians, they believed.

The application was recommended for approval on the basis it would preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area and that of listed buildings in the vicinity.

Planning permission was granted for a temporary period to the end of May 2012.