A Cornwall councillor says “merry hell kicked off” after a taxi company amended a shop front in the centre of St Ives without permission. A1 Cars is seeking retrospective planning approval for alterations to the premises within the town’s conservation area.

Mr J Johnson applied for permission four years ago for the changes to St Eia House in Market Place, but the matter is only now being considered by a Cornwall Council planning committee. The application was called to committee by local member Cllr Andrew Mitchell after concerns were raised by St Ives Town Council.

Retrospective planning permission is also sought for the change of use and subdivision of a shop to the taxi booking office and café, where a new shop front was installed. Cllr Mitchell told the planning authority: “I was against this but now think they are acceptable. However, they do go against the Neighbourhood Plan in relation to splitting of shops.”

He added that the changes were made before the town council had a chance to challenge them. “Merry hell kicked off, so I feel I need to call it to committee”.

Planning officer Catherine Bray recommends approval to the changes to the shop, which is near the Grade I listed Church of St Ia and the Grade II Market House. She said: “St Eia House is not listed but lies in the conservation area and within the setting of listed buildings. The shop front that has been replaced was an attractive traditional feature with a recessed doorway. The new shop front has retained elements of a traditional design and is considered to be acceptable.

“The main differences are that the entrance is no longer recessed and that there are now two entrances reflecting the subdivision of the unit. The changes do cause some harm to the conservation area but are not considered to harm the setting of the listed buildings.”

However, the town council is not happy, lodging the “strongest possible objection” to the “loss of character of an interesting shop front”. It adds: “The proposed design and use of black uPVC is out of keeping and detrimental to the street scene in the conservation area. The overall design including the signage fails to comply with guidance in the Shop Front Design Guide.”

Cornwall Council’s Historic Environment Planning team stated: “Whilst the desire of the applicant is understood, the proposed works are not considered to preserve nor enhance the conservation area in their current form.”

St Ives resident Rachel Hollow wrote on the council’s planning portal: “Despite St Ives Town Council objecting to this planning application, Historic Environment Planning lodging an objection and Cornwall Council yet to grant permission, A1 Cars ploughed ahead with its alterations. Shop fronts like these need to be protected or we will further lose the character of our town. This building is situated in the historic Market Place area, which needs to have its traditional buildings retained.”

The town council is also opposing a change of use application – permission is needed as the taxi business is classed as a “sui generis use”. The council states: “Not for the first time, a change of use from retail to a coffee shop, including a takeaway, is not only proposed but proposed retrospectively, despite the fact that it is now trading. St Ives Neighbourhood Development Plan has a very clear policy which seeks to control the further increase of food takeaway businesses.

“It is disappointing that the planning authority has not yet given sufficient weight to this policy and the town council requests that it do so in this case.”

However, Cornwall Council is again recommending approval, saying: “The uses are considered appropriate to a town centre location. Having the unit in use will help to support the viability and vitality of the town centre.”

We contacted A1 Taxis who did not want to make a comment. The applications will be discussed at a meeting of Cornwall Council’s west area planning committee in Redruth on Monday, August 19.