Newsagent may need to replace 'unlawful' shop front

A newsagent has been denied retrospective planning permission for a second time after installing an “incongruous” shop front on a busy high street.

Mohammed Jilani, who owns Isa & Zamy’s Newsagent on Spring Gardens in Buxton, removed the distinctive curved double bow windows of a jewellers who had the unit until 2021, instead building a modern entrance to the shop to maximise the retail space inside.  

James Stannard, a High Peak Borough Council (HPBC) planning officer said this unauthorised work in the Hardwick Conservation Area “appears incongruous and fails to respect the sensitivity of the site or its surroundings”. 

Mr Jilani’s plans were originally turned down in April 2023, with the proposed amendments adding timber panelling on top of the existing frontage. 

His design consultant, Rob Ford, said: “The replacement front will have no greater visual impact upon the general appearance of this shop unit in its street scene context and indeed offers a general improvement to the street frontage compared to the rather drab appearance of the previous and is a substantial betterment over that of the adjacent front to the Bet Fred betting shop.” 

In his report, Mr Stannard said: “The argument that the high street has experienced decline is not a justification for the standard or quality of design in individual schemes to be diluted or disregarded.  

“Similarly, the quality or otherwise of other shop frontages, many of which will have existed for a significant number of years, that have not been introduced unlawfully, can be given very limited weight.” 

“The Local Planning Authority has, where possible, sought to work in a positive and proactive manner with the applicant to address outstanding issues associated with the scheme to achieve a sustainable form of development.  

“However, in this instance there are no amendments that could be made without completely redesigning the proposal that will overcome concerns relating to design and heritage and thus the application has been refused.” 

The decision means if HPBC pursue an enforcement order, Mr Jilani must replace the shop front with one that meets the council’s standards.