Plans for Pub Expansion in Former Hairdressers in Aberdare Town Centre

There are plans for a pub to expand into a former hairdressers in Aberdare town centre.
Plans for the change of use of the ground floor of Unit 5 National
Court on Cardiff Street from a hairdressers to a public house are due to go before Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT)’s planning committee on Thursday, August 15.
The application from Grey Trees Independent Craft Brewery would be contained to the ground floor of the building and would allow for the expansion of an existing craft beer bar and bottle shop that currently operates from an neighbouring premises, being Unit 6 (The National Tap).
No external changes to Unit 5 are proposed for the change of use but
a number of internal changes are proposed to the application site (Unit 5) and Unit 6 so that the applicant can create a more accessible facility for customers and staff.
Within Unit 6, the public bar would be moved to the back of the premise and the existing washrooms and cellar would be re-located to Unit 5 so that the seating and standing capacity of the existing beer bar can be increased.
The change of use would also allow for a storage area and for another fire exit.
The proposal would employ one full-time and three part-time members of staff and the existing operating hours of the beer bar would remain unchanged being 12pm to 11pm from Monday to Friday, 10am to 12am on Saturday and 12pm to 11pm on Sunday and bank holidays.
There have been no public objections to the application.
The unit was previously in use as a hairdresser (Glam Air) and the applicant has said that Unit 5 has been empty since January  1, 2024.
In recommending approval, planning officers said: “The proposal would bring a currently vacant unit back into beneficial use within an area of Aberdare town centre where vacancy rates are generally high.
!It would contribute to the daytime and evening economy whilst also attracting further footfall to this part of the town, thereby contributing to the vitality and viability of the retail centre.
“No external alterations are required to facilitate the proposed use and the
proposal would therefore not impact on the character and appearance of the
wider conservation area.
“Furthermore, the proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of the impact it would have on highway safety in the vicinity of the site.
“Whilst there is some concern with regard to the impact of the proposal on the
amenity of nearby residential properties, the site is located within the retail
centre where such uses would usually be expected.
“Residents living in such locations are already accustomed to greater levels of noise and disturbance and, given that no objections have been received from local residents to the proposals, the application is considered to comply with the relevant policies of the Rhondda Cynon Taf Local Development Plan.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

By BBC LDRS ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​