New Barber Shop Approved for Porth Despite Local Backlash

Plans to convert a former amusement arcade into a barber shop in Porth town centre have been approved, despite significant local opposition ✂️

The application to transform the ground floor of a property on Hannah Street from an amusement arcade to a barber shop was given the green light by Rhondda Cynon Taf’s planning committee on Thursday, May 1, even though objectors pointed out there are already 13 barber shops in the town.

The planning committee received 34 separate letters of objection from local residents and the Porth and District Chamber of Trade. Concerns centred around “an over saturation of barbershops just like all the existing hairdressers, nail bars and vape shops.”

Objectors argued that “to sustain Porth as a viable retail hub, it was essential to promote better and more sustainable retail options” and warned that if another barbers opened and took custom from existing businesses, they would “just end up with more empty units.”

They also claimed that “the increase of barber shops in the street was turning away customers visiting and taking a huge toll on the existing businesses that were already struggling.”

Councillor Mike Powell noted there was “no sustainable argument that they could refuse it on and it would fail at appeal,” whilst Councillor Ross Williams said he “sympathised with local members” and “wished there were grounds to turn it down” but said “we are fighting with one hand behind our back.”

Committee Chair Councillor Sharon Rees described it as “a really difficult one” and said it was “with a very heavy heart that they were very limited as to what they could do about it.” She mentioned the likely cost of rejecting the application, as Planning and Environment Decisions Wales would “take a very dim view.”

Planning officers recommended approval, stating: “The principle of commercial development at the site is acceptable and by bringing the property back into beneficial use, would result in a positive contribution towards the wider retail centre.”

The report noted that while they appreciated concerns about the number of similar businesses, “there is no planning policies to restrict the concentration of A1 uses in retail centre locations.”

The officers added: “The need for the proposed use and the impact upon the existing business are not material considerations that can be taken into account in this instance and each case must be dealt with on its own merits.”

The approved plans include a flat on the first floor with a kitchen/living room, bedroom, shower room and entrance hallway.