A bid to create a private function room at a former Penn distillery has been given the go-ahead.

The proposal at Penn Street Works seeks permission to create a private function room, with the fallback use of the building for light industrial purposes.

In the application, it explained that the unit was last used as a gin distillery until operations ceased in January last year. As part of the distillery’s activities, it used to run private tours for customers to view the production process and sample the gin.

The tours became so popular that the distillery then held about 25 events in the space, using temporary event licences from the council.

As the space is now vacant, the applicant, Sam Buckles, wants to use it as a private function room, which, according to the planning statement, is driven by the experience of recent tenants that showed the suitability for this type of use.

It explained in the statement: “This use will only happen on the ground floor of the building.

“However, this will be a new venture for them. So, in the event that circumstances change they would like to have a fallback position where they could revert to using the building for light industrial or some other Class E business use.

“Hence the application also refers to the use of Class V permitted development rights.”

Five letters of support were received regarding the plans, outlining the benefits of the change.

However, two letters of objection were also submitted, raising concerns over noise and disturbance, and suggesting the project would not be helpful to the village.

The plans explain that the ground floor would be used as a multi-purpose events space for “corporate events or private hire.”

It added: “For example, there are limited places locally where you can have a private party – say a 40th or 50th Birthday, or a wedding anniversary celebration – most spaces get very booked up and the owners have had feedback that there is a real need for this locally.

“In addition, they could offer the space for local musicians who wish to hold performances – they have had an approach to hold a jazz evening for example. In addition; they think the space could be used during the day for Yoga classes or other art workshops etc.

It went on to explain there is “ample parking” and proposed opening hours of 9am until 11pm Monday to Thursday, 9am to 1am on Friday, and 10am to 4pm on Sunday.