A commercial unit in the village of Twyford will get a new lease of life after planning permission was approved for the change of use from a photography studio into a bike shop, bike repair workshop and ancillary cafe.
As part of the application, ET Planning outlined how transforming the premises, which have been vacant since July 2019, will help to maintain the vitality and viability of Twyford as a commercial centre.
The approved plans will see a bike shop situated on the group floor together with a coffee shop for customers, and an area to the rear for a bike repair workshop. The first floor area of the unit will provide both a storage space and a small office.
As part of the change of use application ET Planning noted that the unit sits within the Twyford Conservation Area but that the proposed changes would not result in any external alterations to the building and would thereby protect the character of the wider Conservation Area.
An important part of the application referenced the Core Strategy Policy CP13 which describes the principle of allowing main town centre uses within small town and district centres such as Twyford, as long as they are of a scale and form that is compatible with the retail character of the centre.
Wokingham Borough Council approved the change of use application under delegated powers. The unit owner can now take off the brakes and move full speed ahead in transforming the inside of these premises.