General Discussion
Since taking over Tummy Yum Yum in December you may have noticed we have changed the name to Willo`s and created a continental style awning/sun canopy which seems to have attracted positive comments from customers and passers by. My wife and I have tried to enhance the area and the facility at considerable cost to the benefit of Dawlish, so we believed. The awning is a semi-permanent construction, held only to the floor by 12 4" bolts, and it was our understanding that due to its design, it did not require planning permission. Following a complaint by a concerned resident, it is now clear that we do require planning permission. I would be grateful for any views on the premises, positive or critical, frome any user of this forum. Thank you in advance. Willo
It's a pity that some of these 'concerned residents' don't put their time to more constructive matters! I've not had the time to visit your premises yet, though I did pop into TYY's quite regularly. My initial thought on seeing your canopy was that it was a good idea that would help you keep the business going during inclement weather. No doubt the busybody who reported you is one of the first to complain about local businesses closing down. Keep up the good work - I look forward to popping in with my wife soon.
Just ignore and carry on as normal.
If Teignbridge want to waste our money on forcing you to remove it then let them go ahead.
Assuming that your lease or land registry, permit you to use the outside area as an extension to your business and your public liability insurance dont have an issue. Best of luck.
Failing that tell them your a subsiduary of a major supermarket and you can do as you please
Andymac, thank you for that, you are welcome any time.
Ziggy- we are in Piermont place between Harrisons and Baileys.
Fronteraman- Regretably the planning dept at Teignbridge can get a court order if the application and subsequent appeals fail. Although that would be some time in the future. You are probably right, Sainsburys at Dawlish or Morrisons at Teignmouth seem to nbe able to multiply at will.
Cheers Willo
Ah, i know where you are now wilosindawlish, past by there recently and thought how bright and clean your premises looked compared to some around that area.
Best of luck.
What a shame that someone who is trying to make a success of their business is knocked in this way.
I applaud you in your efforts and renaming from the ridiculous Tummy Yum Yum is the best thing you could have done.
I think it's obvious to all that the Piermont Place area of town needs taking upmarket - Mike Bailey has done a brilliant job on his premises and it's great to see others following on.
Good luck and I hope you get your permission.
It may be worth emailing the councillors on Dawlish planning committee to explain your plans - you'll find them via the council website. (Dawlish don't get the final say but if they vote for you it helps!)
I recently wrote to Richard Bland Conservation officer for Teignbridge, who has seen one photograph of our awning. Here is his reply in full....
I have already been made aware of the canopy and hardsurfacing constructed at 15A Piermont Place, having discussed this matter with Mr Josi our Enforcement Officer covering the Dawlish area. I have given a clear opinion that these works are conspicuous in a prominent location and have an unacceptable impact upon the character and appearance of the Dawlish Conservation Area, and this view I understand has already provided to you. Mr Josi I am informed will be in contact with you in the near future to advise on the next courses of action available to you.
I therefore see no merit in meeting you on site to discuss this further, as I do not consider that the works would be supported if an application was submitted for the retention of the development.
Richard Bland
Conservation Officer
Teignbridge District Council
Clearly a man with an agenda. How can he possibly comment without even seeing the place.
Willo
Willo - Sounds like the Jobsworth has already made up his mind about your awning, still it saves you the planning application money. His comments sound like he has been briefed locally so try and find out which of your competitors or councilors are trying to stich you up here. As Ive said before just carry on till they come to remove it. Best of luck
Just remembered something important. Teignbridge Council operate an open public access policy. If you think someone may have bubbled you to the planning dept you have a right to see the letter, e-mail or record of the phone call. Just go to Forde House and ask for the planning dept. Also visit The Manor and check the local council meeting minutes to see if it has been discussed at local level
Well done willo! the shop looks great, nice to see someone making an effort to make their business a success! and not just sitting on their arse complaining like most local business's around town. not bad sandwiches by the way!
Wait until they threaten enforcement action, then put in a planning application, ask your local district councillor to get your application to go to the planning committee (most planning apps are decided by unelected officers). You can speak at the planning meeting if you give seven days notice; councillors are more likely to give you the benefit of the doubt. If the planning committee refuse you permission, appeal to the planning inspector.
tommyk, thank you for your support and custom
Archidamus, thank you for your thoughts, this is most helpful
Willo
Hi Willo. We made our usual Saturday walk into town from the Warren fully intending to pop in for brunch and to say hello to you. Unfortunately your place was closed. Normally we'd go to Too Delicious, but today for the first time we popped into the Brunswick Arms for a sarnie and a pint. And very good it was too. However we hope to pop into Willo's soon. :-)
Sorry Andy MAc, had a retirement bash to attend in the midlands, and it was our first day off in fifteen days! All our closed days are published on the website www.willos.co.uk
Cheers Willo
Thank you all for your support and for those that have been in to sign a letter of support. In order to inform a wider audience I have updated the website with a new page to pubish events and communications I receive from the council. Please have a look
http://willos.web.officelive.com/CanopyandHardstanding.aspx
Thanks
Willo
Willo, I would highly recommend submitting a retrospective planning application. This at least shows you acknowledge you are in breach of planning rules, or whatever, and are willing to cooperate to solve the matter.
It is always pointless taking on bureaucracy and red tape to prove a point (not saying you are) as it is often not one person who is to blame but rather the system that is at fault.
However, keep the petition going and submit this as part of your application. In the current economic climate we need people like yourselves to open businesses and revitalise the town.
Thanks SteveJ. Timing is important. I have commenced an application but like all red tape its long and cumbersome
Cheers
Willo
Absolutely disgraceful that such an improvement is deemed unacceptable, even though many of us have contacted the council and signed a petition opposing its removal. Why don't these 'jobsworths' listen to people who live here and appreciate people who try to improve the area.
Its strange how an investment , that improves the appearance of a place is deemed wrong by a council official. The reply by Richard Bland is shocking, how can he comment on something he hasnt seen? Sounds like he's to lazy to get off his arse and take a look, or he may know the person who made the complaint!
If this encourages more people to spend money in Dawlish, especially in the winter months , when the town can look dead, then surely its a good thing. Not sure if they are using local produce or not but if they are then the extra sales will help the South West region as a whole.
Good luck to you
Thank you all for your comments and opinions. We are grateful for the support.
We have now submitted a retrospective planning application.
The Dawlish Gazette have written two well balanced articles and you can post your views on these
here
http://www.dawlishnewspapers.co.uk/News.cfm?id=11572&headline=Customers back cafe in battle to keep canopy
Thanks again
Willo
I called in for a cup of tea and piece of cake and sat among a busload of pensioners who were really enjoying the shelter from the breeze, but able to sit out and watch all that was passing trade. I wish that Richard Bland would spend time with you doing that and talking about how that terrace could look if each proprietor took as much trouble to keep their frontage neat and attractive.
I'm not impressed by the intention of Harrisons to enclose part of their frontage by boxing in a space at your end to secure their machines and bins at night. However, It may bring one benefit of cutting off the relay loudspeaker of someone drearily calling bingo numbers.
We can't overlook the fact that there is half of a listed frontage behind you, and the rest is part hidden by Harrisons' out of scale canopy. Your colour scheme works in with Harrisons so I can't imagine them complaining about your installation.
You have had good advice from Archidamus to lobby your existing District Councillor (Central Dawlish ward is represented (until May 5th) by Ted Hockin and Graham Price) and ask for your application to go to full committee for a decision. After May 5th there may be new councillors at District and Town level who you will need to get on your side.
Best wishes, Bob Vickery
I think it's a good idea to have protection from the breeze, also it makes it more difficult for the seagulls to pinch your food!
Thank you again for your comments and views, it is really helping us with the support we are getting.
Our planning application has now been validated although a planning officer hasnt been allocated yet.
You can view the application and make comments by following this link
Thanks again
Willo
Have written in support. Come on Dawlish let's get behind this and show bureaucrats we support our traders!
On Monday 9th May 2011, my wife and I attended at Teignbridge council and handed in 200 letters of support for our planning application. Eight days on and they have managed to up-load TWO of our letters. They have also managed to upload the views of the Conservation officer which I publish here..
CONSULTATION RESPONSE FROM POLICY & HERITAGE - LISTED
BUILDINGS AND CONSERVATION
Reference: 11/00968/FUL
Location: DAWLISH - 15A Piermont Place, Dawlish
Proposal: Retention Of Sun Canopy/Awning To Front Elevation
Applicant: Mr P Wilson
I refer to the above application and can advise as follows:-
At a pre-application stage I had already expressed my concerns about the harmful
effect of this structure attached to Piermont Place..
The issue to me appears to be the stated desire within the applicants' supporting
statement to have a canopy that extends to 4.1 metres across the whole forecourt
depth. This is described as going well beyond the possible extent of a retractable
canopy, which would arguably have been less visually harmful. If I had been
approached before works took place, this issue would have arisen and I therefore
would not have supported the installed approach, suggesting instead that a retractable
canopy only, extending to its designed limits was fitted here.
However it is noted that another premises on Piermont Place, Baileys Cafe Bar which
has a wide frontage to Piermont Place yet being sited closer to the beach than number
15A, but nevertheless its owners have installed a series of more elegant, smaller
length canopies fixed in a parallel run that retract neatly against the frontage when not
in use.
The covered canopy fronting Harrisons Amusements, while accepted to be of
considerable size has been in place since before the mid 1990s, and liked or disliked
is part of the established scene at Dawlish. Notwithstanding the changes recently
approved, its canopy has a single length design along the frontage which mitigates its
effect as a more permanent structure set against the bayed frontage behind.
The narrow width canopy erected at 15A, with its free-standing tubular frame by
comparison looks ill-proportioned against the street frontage, not least due to its
excessive projection. Its retention only adds visual clutter to the present atmosphere of
the Piermont Place frontage, and as a new structure cannot be regarded as preserving
or enhancing the character nor the appearance of the Dawlish Conservation Area. In
my view it would be contrary to Policy C35 of the Teignbridge Local Plan to retain
this structure.
Conservation Officer
I invited Richard Bland to attend and discuss matters with me prior to making an application. RICHARD BLAND REFUSED TO ATTEND, and as a PUBLIC SERVANT its my view that he was in neglect of his duties. Its rather bizzare that prior to receiving our 200 letters of support, Richard Bland had only made mention of the fact that we were in a "conservation area" and that our canopy had an" impact" on Dawlish. Now it seems he has been forced to earn his money and write an extended version of his policy. Remember he had already made his mind up after seeing a photograph of the frame. He has never formally visited the premises in my presence, or listened to any of the hundreds of people in Dawlish who enjoy our amenity.
Pete Wilson
Willos
Perhaps a little delving into the lazy Richard Bland is required.
I wrote in my letter to the council how disgusted i was with his prejudgement of a planning , when he hadnt even seen the structure. Seems the council still havent told him to get off his backside an earn his wages.
Just a short update to say we had the full backing of Dawlish Council meeting last night. I appreciate this Teignbridge will probably ignore that but Helen and I are most gratgeful for the Town Council, and the town for matter, supporting us
Regards
Willo
Dear Sirs,
I write to register my full support for the retention of the
canopy/awning at Willo's sandwich bar, 15 a Piermont Place, Dawlish.
As a resident of Dawlish I have seen over recent years the town
slipping into gentle but ever steepening decline. The buildings are
fading and are poorly maintained, many shops are closed down and the
town has generally taken on an aire of decay. Tourism is what keeps
the town and local economy afloat and anything that reasonably supports
attracting tourism can only be good for the town.
Piermont Place, fronts onto the town gardens and was once a rank of
elegant Georgean houses but is now located at the hub of tourism to the
town. The ground floor to the rank is dominated by an amusement
arcade, various cafes and a chip shop. This is often the first area of
the town seen by tourists arriving by rail, coach or car. Willo's
sandwich bar is a newcomer, replacing a very run down and tired looking
cafe. It has been given a generous facelift and now sports a very
attractive canopy to protect visitors from the sun and wind and gives
an ambiance of French Rivirea pavement cafe society albeit tailored to
the foibles of british weather. It most certainly adds significantly
to the attractiveness of this important area of the town.
The general appearance of Georgean elegance has been retained to the
rank of buildings above first floor level but at street level nearly
all now have canopies of some sort, the largest and most unsightly
being that to the front of the amusement arcade. However, it serves
its purpose and helps to attract tourism to the town.
The new canopy will have a zero impact on road safety, traffic or
noise. It also has no significant negative impact on the appearance of
the area. However, it will, by attracting more tourism to the town
enhance the economy which will hep progress both Local and Central
Government Economic policy and will play its part in regeneration to
the town in general.
For all of these reasons, I fully support the retention of the canopy.
Regards
Bob Hawthorne
Dear all,
Helen and I went before Teignbridge Planning committee this morning where our planning application was heard. We are delighted to announce that we were successful and the Council voted 15 to 1 in favour of our application.
We are both very grateful for all the support we have received in Dawlish and would like to say a big thank you to you all!
Willo
Makes a nice change for the views of residents to prevail over the 'planners'. This whole incident has been about the so-called planners wanting to show they are in charge and because you didn't get their permission they just had to show you how powerful they think they are.
Let's hope this will make them use some common sense next time, although if they had common sense they wouldn't be planners, would they!!
Great news Willo!! I know that when we popped in to wish you luck on Saturday, you weren't too optimistic, so you must be buzzing with the news! Well done Willo and well done to the people of Dawlish and farther afield ;-) who rallied to the cause - power to the people! Is there anywhere we can see who voted for and against?
Well done Willos. As they say above, common sense prevailed. Shame on the spiteful person who originally objected. A rival perhaps?
" anywhere we can see who voted for and against?" AndyMac, It may apear on Teignbridge web site Planning at a later date, if not your are entitled to ask for the Willo file at Forde House Newton Abbot as it is a matter of public record, Just ask to see the Willo file, you can even ask them to make a copy of a particular letter/list there would be a small charge for the foto copy
This part from Teignbridge planning, Congratulations to Willo's and those who wrote in must be commended
5. CONSULTEES
Conservation Officer – Recommends refusal - Retention only adds visual clutter to
the present atmosphere of the Piermont Place frontage, and as a new structure
cannot be regarded as preserving or enhancing the character or the appearance of
the Dawlish Conservation Area. In my view it would be contrary to Policy C35 of
the Teignbridge Local Plan to retain this structure.
6. REPRESENTATIONS
226 letters of support have been received raising the following issues:-
1. Support for investment in Dawlish
2. Improves disabled access
3. Protection from sun and sea gulls.
Congratulation wilo, im glad my letter played a small part.
Perhaps the council will now look into Richard Bland and his antics, which have wasted taxpayers much needed funds.As the vote was so unanimous then clearly he had an agenda.Perhaps his suitability for the job should be looked into as clearly he has no idea what councillors or the general public think.