Windsor restaurant refused expansion

The council has turned down an application by Sebastian’s in Windsor to make changes to its site that would allow it to expand.

The Italian restaurant in Goswell Hill (arch 14a to 16a) sought to change the adjoining unit, classed as a hairdresser, into restaurant usage, so it can amalgamate with Sebastian’s.

It is a listed building, so Sebastian’s had to seek listed building consent from the council to make the change.

The proposal included internal alterations to Sebastians’, demolishing the toilet to make the kitchen facilities bigger. Partition walls would be put into the hairdressers to put in a new disabled toilet.

The shopfronts would have been kept as they were apart from the removal of signs at the hairdressers.

"The change of use will significantly help to cater to increasing foo all and growing demand of the loyal customers of Sebastian’s,” wrote the applicant.

“During lunch and dinner, the customers have been seen waiting for longer durations before being served.

“This expansion of restaurant to adjacent unit will help ease the pressure as well as ensure that the business doesn’t lose prospective customers."

But the council refused, writing: "The application fails to provide sufficient details relating to the impact on the significance of heritage assets.

"The proposal would fail to demonstrate that the proposal would not harm the historic fabric of the listed building. Public benefits have not been provided to overcome the harm."

See all plans with reference 24/01371/LBC in Windsor and Maidenhead council’s online planning portal.