A CHAPEL of rest will be turned into a town- centre taxi booking office.
The ground floor of the Chapel of Rest, Hangingroyd Lane, Hebden Bridge will be taken over by Avacar Private Hire after being given the all-clear by Calderdale Council's Planning Committee.
The building will only be used as a booking office and
there will be no direct access for members of the public. It will be open from 9am to 10pm each day.
Councillors said they were concerned it would lead to a queue of taxis waiting outside, late at night – a problem that has blighted Brighouse town centre.
Only two cars will be allowed to park at the site at any one time.
Martin Peel (Con, Sowerby Bridge) asked for the decision to be delayed for a report from the Licensing Committee to be submitted, to help them make their decision.
"The problem I have with this is that licensing could say they'll be allowed to operate with 10 vehicles but it has a bearing on this.
"It has been a serious problem in other areas and a serious problem to the people who live there," he said.
Robert Thornber (Con, Ryburn) said: "If there's a difference between planning and licensing, I feel even a brief report from licensing would help or we might end up with the situation we have in Brighouse."
Danielle Coombs (Lab, Ovenden) said: "I think we're in danger of taking our experiences in Brighouse and being overly critical of every matter that comes before us."
Councillors Peel and Thornber voted against the plan, but it was approved after the five other members voted in favour of the change of use, subject to conditions about the size of outdoor signs and opening hours.
Concerns received included limited on-street parking and late night noise from customers.
Hebden Royd Town Council had recommended the scheme be approved
http://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/RI ... 6433386.jp
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