Victory: Council rejects plan on grounds of town’s ‘vitality’

Broxtowe Borough Council’s Development committee voted unanimously tonight to reject the proposed ‘change of use’ which would have meant the possible closure of Out of This World. The councillors reject the proposal on grounds that the vitality of Beeston would be adversely affected.

Several dozen protesters stood outside before the meeting to make their feels known. They also packed the council chamber to hear the details of the proposals and debate amongst the councillors who serve on the committee. Nigel Clifton, owner of Out of This World, made an impassioned plea to preserve a unique shop which provided fair trade food and the main source of local produce from nearby farms.

Planning Officers recommend ‘change of use’

Planning Officers at Broxtowe Borough Council have now written their report regarding the proposed ‘change of use’ for 29 Villa Street. This report will be submitted as part of the agenda to the Development Committee, who meet on Monday 23rd June. Unfortunately, the report recommends that the Committee resolve to recommend planning permission and allow the expansion of the restaurant next door.

Their recommendation is on the grounds that no local or national policy exists which would allow any other decision. The detail of their decision can be read in the following PDF file (see page 20):

Broxtowe Development Control 23rd June meeting agenda papers

In spite of planning officers recommending planning approval, this does not mean the Committee will automatically grant it. Committees have gone against officer recommendations in the past. This is all part of the democratic process and we need to urge our local councillors to reject the advice.

It is very important for as many people to attend the Monday meeting as possible to show the Committee members the strength of support there is for retaining OOTW in its current position.

Local campaigners and supporters of OOTW will be outside the Town Hall at 6.30pm on Monday 23rd June with a banner of support. Please come along and make your support known.

Fair Trade Town

It is understood that Broxtowe Council are keen to develop Beeston as a ‘Fair Trade Town’, one which is committed to using fairly trade products. The Fair Trade Foundation sets out five clear goals that must be in place for a town to designated as ‘Fair Trade’. You can read them all at the Foundations website. Goal 2 is very clear:

A range of Fairtrade products must be readily available in the area’s shops and served in local cafés and catering establishments.

The loss of Out of This World will be a fatal blow to Beeston’s achievement of this goal.

Council to vote on plans on 23rd June

There will be a Broxtowe council meeting and vote on Monday 23rd June, 7pm, at the Town Hall, Foster Avenue. Nigel Clifton, owner of Out of This World, will be talking for 3 minutes before the vote. Supporters of the shop are urged to come along and support.

Welcome

Welcome to the Save Out of This World campaign blog.

This blog has been set up by supporters of Beeston’s Out of This World ethical supermarket who wish to see the shop saved from recent threats to its retail unit lease. There is a planning change request lodged with Broxtowe Borough Council to instigate a ‘change of use’ from a shop to a restaurant.