Variation of Condition to Extend Opening Hours at a Restaurant in Old Town Margate
Planning permission secured through a section 73 variation of condition to extend the opening hours of a restaurant at Margate Old Town.
PLANNING APPROVALSTHANETKENT
Andrew Ransome
7/16/20262 min read
In 2025, I secured an approved variation of condition from Thanet District Council, allowing a restaurant in Margate Old Town to trade on a consistent seven-day-a-week basis.
Varying a planning condition to extend operational hours in a historic town centre can involve heritage policy, residential amenity and noise considerations.
Variation of Condition Approved to Allow Extended Opening Hours in Old Town, Margate
I prepared and submitted a S73 planning application to Thanet District Council, seeking a variation of a 2018 planning permission, which had approved the change of use of the premises from retail to restaurant use.
The existing condition restricted opening hours on Monday to Thursday. This new S73 application sought to align the opening hours with weekend trading.
The restuarant occupies a Grade II listed building in Margate Old Town, a heritage-sensitive location where the character and appearance of the area is a primary planning consideration.
I structured the application around the absence of any external alterations, emphasising that the variation related solely to operational hours and generated no change to the fabric or appearance of the listed building.
My analysis demonstrated that the modest extension to weekday hours — in an established commercial area — would not result in any significant increase in noise or disturbance to neighbouring residents.
The case officer agreed with this assessment, and Thanet District Council approved the S73 planning application.
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Andrew Ransome MRTPI - Email: andrew@andrewransome.co.uk
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Andrew Ransome is a Planning Director and a Chartered Member of the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI), with more than two decades of experience in town planning.
He specialises in delivering strategic planning solutions for complex developments across both rural and urban environments, helping clients navigate planning challenges and unlock development opportunities. Connect with Andrew on Linkedin.
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