A planning application to convert Helston’s former nightclub Trelawney’s into a restaurant and hot food takeaway has been approved by Cornwall Council.

The planning application was submitted in January 2023 by the new owner of the building, Wahiduz Zaman, who asked for permission for the conversion of the existing nightclub’s ground floor level into a restaurant and hot food takeaway, and conversion of the upper floor into three residential units.

Mr Zaman already owns several businesses, including Sultanz Restaurant in Camborne, serving Indian and Bangladeshi dishes, and the award-winning Zamans in Newquay.

However, while Mr Zaman’s other restaurants in Cornwall are based around Indian food, he previously told the Packet that the theme for this restaurant was still to be determined.  

Falmouth Packet: Repair work has already begun in the former nightclub after it was left in a 'sorry state.' Repair work has already begun in the former nightclub after it was left in a 'sorry state.' (Image: Wahiduz Zaman)

The planning department at Cornwall Council has now approved the proposals, with conditions to consider the residents and surrounding businesses in the town.

Conditions include the opening hours of the restaurant being between 5pm and 11pm, Monday and Sunday, to prevent any disturbance upon residents in properties nearby.

The extraction equipment must be turned off by 10.30pm to protect neighbours from noise disturbance.

In granting permission under delegated powers, the planning officer noted that it is not proposed to increase the existing footprint of the building and as such the proposed development would not give rise to any adverse impacts in terms of surface water, despite falling within the Helston Critical Drainage Area.

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It was originally proposed to replace the first and second-floor timber windows on the south side of the building. Following concerns from the Historic Environment Protection officer, the agent has confirmed the existing timber windows shall be retained.

With the exception of the rear steel staircase being removed, and an extractor fan being installed, there are no external works to the building

Granting conditional approval, the planning officer said: “Taking these factors into account, on balance it is considered that the proposal is acceptable, subject to conditions."

They also wrote: "In light of the town-centre location and the previous use of the building as a nightclub, the proposed use is not considered to give rise to significant noise and disturbance."

The Grade II listed building was said to be left in a “very, very sorry state,” according to Mr Zaman.

Having struggled to find a local contractor with availability to repair the damaged roof before the summer, he eventually managed to do the work by bringing in contractors out-of-country, only for the cold weather in December 2022 to cause a pipe to burst, resulting in flooding.

Falmouth Packet: Our-of-country contractors have called in to help Our-of-country contractors have called in to help (Image: Wahiduz Zaman)

Mr Zaman, who started in the catering industry aged 19, told the Packet previously: “I looked at Helston and immediately loved it.

“It’s such a beautiful building, and I know I can do something good here.”

The plans also show the restaurant would employ four full-time members of staff and two part-time.

The building at 25 Coinagehall Street was Grade II listed in May 1972 and was initially a townhouse before later including a shop. It was built in the late 18th century, with the existing shop front windows fitted in the 1990s.