A controversial battle by a small business to keep one of its buildings after failing to seek council permission in advance has been settled.

The Arcade in the High Street Cookham is the site of a few small businesses and is a historic part of Cookham’s conservation area.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a derelict shed towards the rear was refurbished, covering about 12sqm – and was being used as an independent office by a small business.

Last year, there was a retrospective planning application for the business to be allowed to keep operating from the building.

But a score of residents objected on the grounds it was a ‘garden grab’ which could detract from the Cookham High Street Conservation Area – reducing green space and biodiversity, and overdeveloping the space.

There were also concerns over the increase in noise that could come with its new commercial use, as well as insufficient parking.

The application was called in by Cookham councillor Mandy Brar (Lib Dem), due to the lack of parking in the centre of the village and lack of compliance with The Cookham Village Plan.

A decision originally set for April last year was deferred to a later date so more research could take place.

Now the head of planning at the Royal Borough has opted to refuse the application.

Some ‘constraints’ include the fact that the application site is an ‘important non-listed building’ in Cookham Village Centre and based on Flood Zone 2 and 3 (the higher risk flood zones).

The planning team determined the work ‘neither preserves nor enhances the character or appearance of the conservation area’, in conflict with existing Cookham and Borough-wide plans.

“In the absence of on-site parking, the change of use of the building to office space results in additional on street parking demand in the surrounding area which is harmful to highway safety,” officers wrote.

To see all documents relating to this application, see reference 22/03162/FULL in the Royal Borough’s planning portal.