Plans by a former England cricket star to turn a bank branch in a Derbyshire town into a wine bar have been given the green light.
John Morris, who also played domestic cricket for Derbyshire, Durham and Nottinghamshire, has received the nod from Derbyshire Dales District Council’s planning committee to convert the ex-NatWest branch in Dale Road, Matlock, into the new venture.
Mr Morris’ firm, Bradmans, which is named after the Australian cricket legend Sir Don Bradman, has operated a wine bar in Duffield, near Derby, for the past two years.
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Now, due its success, he is expanding into other locations, starting with the former NatWest branch in Matlock, which has been standing empty over the last few years following its closure.
The plans will see the ground floor and basement of the property turned into a wine bar and would include outdoor seating to the rear, alongside the River Derwent.
In the original planning documents submitted by Chevin Group Holdings, on behalf of Mr Morris, it said: “Bradmans is a wine bar that will offer an exclusive wine tasting experience together with a casual bar area.
“They are also currently operating from Duffield and have been for around two years and have been a positive addition to the village.
“We consider that the proposed application is in accordance with Derbyshire Dales District Council planning policy.
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“The use would remaining in keeping with the location and have no adverse effect on adjacent properties and represents good use of a vacant building in a prominent location.”
The plans were given the go-ahead by the district council’s planning committee after an office’s report recommended the scheme be approved.
The officer’s report stated: “While significant concerns have been raised by residents who live in close proximity to the site, it is nevertheless considered, subject to conditions relating to the amended plans and hours of operation for the internal and external areas that the potential impacts on amenity would be appropriately mitigated.
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“The site is within the town centre where proposal for such uses are encouraged in order to promote the economic vitality of the town centre.
“Although concerns about the potential for a concentration of uses to impact on the amenity are acknowledged, on balance, any cumulative impacts which can be related to this proposal are not considered to be of a magnitude where they would justify the rejection of this application.
“Given the above, it is recommended that planning permission be granted subject to appropriate conditions.”