Issue - meetings
26/00403/S73 151C Bearton Road, Hitchin, Hertfordshire, SG5 1UB
Meeting: 18/06/2026 - Planning Control Committee (Item 17)
17 26/00403/S73 151C BEARTON ROAD, HITCHIN, HERTFORDSHIRE, SG5 1UB 
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REPORT OF THE
DEVELOPMENT AND CONSERVATION MANAGER
Variation of Condition 3 (to allow a limited and controlled
extension of operating hours on Sundays, restricted to
delivery-only takeaway service between 16:00 and 20:00) of planning
permission 95/00276/1 granted 24.05.1995.
Additional documents:
Decision:
RESOLVED: That application 26/00403/S73 be GRANTED planning permission subject to the conditions and informatives outlined in the report of the Development and Conservation Manager.
Minutes:
Audio recording – 1 hour 26 minutes 05 seconds
The Senior Planning Officer advised there were no updates to the report, however clarified for Members that:
· This application was only to consider an extension of opening hours between 4-8pm on Sundays.
· Whilst issues were acknowledged at a neighbouring business, this application should be assessed on its own merits and no objections had been received from Environmental Health.
· The application was for a 12-month temporary period, before consideration of a permanent arrangement.
The Senior Planning Officer then presented the report in respect of Application 26/00403/S73 accompanied by a visual presentation consisting of plans and photographs.
In response to a question from Councillor Louise Peace, the Senior Planning Officer advised that after the 12-month period, an application would be required to make the changes to the operating hours permanent. This would only return to the Planning Control Committee for consideration if it was called-in by a Ward Member.
The Chair invited the Member Advocate Objector, Councillor Ian Albert, to speak against the application. Councillor Albert thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· There were many high quality hospitality businesses in Hitchin, of which this was one, and given the current viability of the hospitality sector, this was not an attempt to prevent business.
· There have historically been three businesses in this area of Bearton Road, with several attempts at other sites having been rejected.
· It was sensible that this was a proposed 12-month trial.
· The biggest impact would be on Brampton Park Road residents, which was where delivery vehicles parked to wait for orders. There was also a large amount of noise from kitchens, which it should be acknowledged the Applicant tonight was already taking steps to address at his premises.
· It was proposed that only in house drivers would be used, but the business was available through JustEat and Uber Eats. This position needed to be clarified.
· There was an increased risk to pedestrians.
· Proposed Sunday hours would impact on residents right to private enjoyment, especially considering the cumulative effects in this area.
· Mitigations should be put in place to reduce harm to residents where possible.
· Whilst there were dangers of a precedent being set by approving this application, the inclusion of a trial period and delivery only service was welcomed.
· Some further clarification was required around the rear door of the premises and whether it would only use in house delivery drivers.
There were no points of clarification from Members.
The Chair thanked Councillor Strong for their presentation and invited the Applicant, Mr Abdul Mummin, to speak in support of the application. Mr Mummin thanked the Chair for the opportunity and provided the Committee with a verbal presentation, and highlighted the following:
· He had attended the meeting with a hope that a small business would be given the opportunity to thrive in Hitchin.
· Comments on the rear door have been looked at and acted on, with the door now ... view the full minutes text for item 17