Latest news with #PeterWoolley
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Business
- South Wales Argus
Il Gusto, Abergavenny, wins council illuminated signs row
Council planners had recommended the planning application to keep the two internally illuminated fascia signs that sit either side of the arch doorway entrance to the Il Gusto restaurant be rejected by councillors. But members of the planning committee said they didn't want to refuse the retrospective application, submitted by the restaurant's landlord Peter Woolley, and rejected the recommendation. It is now expected officers will hold talks with Mr Woolley and the restaurant over the signs, the council had previously warned the restaurant it could take enforcement action over which prompted the application. Monmouthshire County Council planning officer Andrew Jones said its heritage officer had recommended refusal due to the impact of the lighting on the Abergavenny Conservation Area and though the Frogmore Street building isn't listed the area is recognised as the town's 'historic core'. Mr Jones acknowledged the only objection to the application, which was supported by 14 members of the public and Abergavenny Town Council, was from the heritage officer but said: 'We fully acknowledge the significant support received but the objection of the heritage officer, given the nature of the application, is quite significant.' He said the heritage officer's views were 'important' when considering impact on the conservation area and said 'weighting should be given to them.' Owen Davies, the agent for the applicant, complained Monmouthshire hasn't issued specific supplementary planning guidance on shopfronts and said: 'We believe this has led to inconsistencies in decisions that have disproportionately affected small independent businesses while granting approval for national chains.' Mr Davies said Il Gusto had adapted the fascia signs used by the previous restaurant when it opened just over a year ago and also sought to replicate the style of the previous Prezzo restaurant. He said the signs are turned off when the restaurant closes at 10pm and also said other signs nearby are made from UPVC and illuminated until the early hours of the morning. Mr Jones said the 2016 conservation area appraisal has provided guidance on design and said the designation is important to businesses and attracts visitors. The council had wanted the restaurant to remove these illuminated fascia signs. Conservative councillor Rachel Buckler described Il Gusto as a 'very good Italian restaurant' and the building as 'very handsome' but said she supported the recommendation for refusal. 'It is inappropriate to the character of the building and something akin to a fast food restaurant in a much more urban setting than a market town in Monmouthshire,' said the Devauden member. Abergavenny Pen y Fal ward Conservative Maureen Powell agreed and said: 'I do feel to light it up is going too far.' Croesonen Labour member Su McConnell said she was 'full of admiration' for the heritage team and it was 'odd' for her to go against its recommendations and highlighted Il Gusto is opposite the Tesco store that is illuminated due to its large windows. After the committee voted to reject the recommendation to refuse the application there was confusion as to whether a further report, recommending approval, would be required, as some councillors had called for the application to be deferred. Council solicitor Joanne Chase said there would be further negotiation with the applicant but planning officer Philip Thomas said: 'If members are minded to approve there is not much point having a negotiation.'
Wales Online
3 days ago
- Business
- Wales Online
Restaurant gets decision in planning battle to keep controversial signs
Restaurant gets decision in planning battle to keep controversial signs Council planning officials had said the lights were too garish and not in keeping with the quaint town centre Council planning officials had urged committee members to reject the application to keep two internally lit fascia signs positioned on either side of the arched entrance to Il Gusto (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service) An Italian restaurant in a Welsh market town appears poised to triumph in its fight to retain illuminated signage which the local authority had threatened legal action over in what became a surprisingly controversial planning case. Following previous planning meetings council planning officials had urged Monmouthshire County Council planning committee members to reject the application to keep two internally-lit fascia signs positioned on either side of the arched entrance to Il Gusto restaurant in Abergavenny town centre, stating that the lights were too garish and not in keeping with the quaint town centre. But planning committee members have since indicated they were unwilling to refuse the retrospective application lodged by the restaurant's landlord Peter Woolley and have now dismissed the recommendation. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here . Officers are now anticipated to enter discussions with Mr Woolley and the restaurant regarding the signage over which the council had previously cautioned the establishment about potential enforcement proceedings, prompting the submission. Monmouthshire council planning officer Andrew Jones explained that the heritage officer had advised rejection due to the lighting's effect on the Abergavenny's conservation area. While the Frogmore Street premises isn't listed the location is recognised as the town's "historic core". Mr Jones recognised that the sole objection to the application, which received backing from 14 public supporters and Abergavenny Town Council, came from the heritage officer, stating: "We fully acknowledge the significant support received but the objection of the heritage officer, given the nature of the application, is quite significant." Il Gusto's illuminated signs during the evening (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service) He emphasised that the heritage officer's opinions were "important" in assessing the impact on the conservation area and mentioned that "weighting should be given to them". Owen Davies, representing the applicant, voiced dissatisfaction with Monmouthshire council for not providing specific supplementary planning guidance on shopfronts and argued: "We believe this has led to inconsistencies in decisions that have disproportionately affected small independent businesses while granting approval for national chains." Mr Davies noted that Il Gusto had modified the fascia signs from the site's previous restaurant when it opened just over a year ago and aimed to mirror the style of the former Prezzo establishment. He pointed out that the signage is switched off at 10pm when the restaurant closes and highlighted that other nearby signs, made from UPVC, remain lit until the early hours. Mr Jones said the 2016 conservation area appraisal has provided guidance on design and said the designation is important to businesses and attracts visitors. Conservative councillor Rachel Buckler praised Il Gusto as a "very good Italian restaurant" and described the building as "very handsome" yet she agreed with the recommendation to refuse permission, stating: "It is inappropriate to the character of the building and something akin to a fast food restaurant in a much more urban setting than a market town in Monmouthshire." Echoing the sentiment Abergavenny Pen y Fal ward Conservative Maureen Powell said: "I do feel to light it up is going too far." Croesonen Labour councillor Su McConnell expressed she was "full of admiration" for the heritage team and found it "odd" to oppose their advice, especially noting that Il Gusto is situated opposite the brightly-lit Tesco store with its expansive windows. Following the committee's decision to dismiss the recommendation to deny the application there was a bit of a muddle over whether a new report endorsing the proposal was necessary as some councillors had suggested postponing the decision. Council solicitor Joanne Chase mentioned that further discussions with the applicant would take place yet planning officer Philip Thomas said: "If members are minded to approve there is not much point having a negotiation." Article continues below
Wales Online
24-06-2025
- Business
- Wales Online
Restaurant threatened with £2,500 fine in row over its signs
Restaurant threatened with £2,500 fine in row over its signs Il Gusto restaurant in Abergavenny has been threatened with enforcement action over the two internally-illuminated signs that have been in place for more than three years Il Gusto's signs illuminated at night on the popular Frogmore Street in Abergavenny, Monmouthshire (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) A family-owned Italian restaurant could be forced to remove its illuminated signs and may face a hefty £2,500 fine in a row over lighting. Il Gusto in Frogmore Street in Abergavenny was told its bright signs on the restaurant's front are not in keeping with the conservation area. Last month it emerged the restaurant had been embroiled in a legal row with Monmouthshire County Council over the signage after the local authority told the building's owner Peter Woolley it would have no choice but to seek prosecution at magistrates' court should action not be taken to alter the signage. Bemused Mr Woolley has claimed in an interview with the local newspaper the Abergavenny Chronicle: "The attack on my tenants is based solely on a subjective opinion." He pointed to there being no fixed rule on what constitutes lighting which is not in keeping while other restaurants and stores in the town use similar lighting at the front of their premises. The legislation enforced by the local planning authority states: 'Signage should not unacceptably detract from the character or appearance of the area and would not result in undue visual clutter.' The owner of the building said he is baffled by what has happened (Image: Local Democracy Reporting Service ) Article continues below Il Gusto has now submitted an application to retain the two internally-lit fascia signs flanking its arched entrance. Mr Woolley said he has sought retrospective planning permission to keep the signs which have been in place for more than three years and were initially used by former tenants Amos and later adapted for Il Gusto. Mr Woolley's planning document highlights the "extensive illuminated frontage" of the Tesco store opposite Il Gusto in Frogmore Street. The supermarket's lighting was lauded as "a clear example of development that contributes significantly to the overall illumination level and modern visual character" of the town's conservation area in a 2016 appraisal by the planning department. The statement further clarifies that Il Gusto aimed to "closely reflect" the previously approved colour scheme used by the nearby Prezzo restaurant. They chose black UPVC panels with "discreet" white backlit lettering and the signs are only lit until the restaurant's closing time at 10pm. "These examples demonstrate that lighting is an accepted and established element within the conservation area's character. In this context the modest and discreet illumination of Il Gusto's signage is entirely in keeping with its surroundings and does not detract from the area's character or heritage value," the statement reads. Article continues below "Enforcing action against an independent restaurant for using illuminated signs – when similar signs by national brands have been allowed – raises serious concerns about fairness and consistency. It risks sending the wrong message that local independents aren't being treated equally." A spokesman for the council said last month: 'The local planning authority are collaborating with the owners to address the unauthorised signage to ensure the special character of the conservation area is protected.'
