AFTER a long-fought battle for planning permission the Vale Council has given the green light for a bistro and tea rooms to open in the former Sadler's fishmongers in Penarth.

The owners of The Pheasantry, based in Royal Buildings on Victoria Road, have spoken of their relief after they were finally granted planning permission by the Vale Council last Thursday, September 4.

They faced a race against time to open for the first time the following night, where they held a champagne reception that was invitation only, before fully opening to the public on Monday morning.

Ken and Janice Holland-Hannen had been waiting months to discover whether they would be granted change of use planning permission and approval for a new shop front and signage.

The couple, who have a long history in the catering industry, have attempted to modernise the building whilst still retaining its character and history.

Two old paintings and railings where poultry used to hang from have been restored and now hang around the bar, while the rest of the premises have been repainted, updated and modernised.

The premises also contain a cocktail bar, seating area and folding front doors, with the menu promising to offer a diverse range of meals.

Ken, who has owned the building with his wife for the last 15 years, said they had overcome a lot of hurdles and it was a “massive relief” to finally be granted planning permission.

His wife Janice added: "We didn't know 100 per cent whether we would get it or not.

"A lot of the businesses in the area are happy as they think we will bring people to the area.”

She added: “We were very relieved as we spent a lot of money and it could have all gone wrong.

“We couldn't have done a clothes shop or hair dressers as our experience is in the catering industry.

“It's been very hard but if it wasn't for the help of friends and family we wouldn't have been able to cope.”

The planning application to transform the building, which had been a fishmonger’s for more than 114 years, had faced opposition from local councillors and residents.

Councillors raised concerns of an“over preponderance” of restaurants and cafes in the town centre and questioned whether the shop front was in keeping with surrounding establishments, while surrounding residents wrote letters to the Vale Council regarding late night noise and disturbance, smell nuisance and refuse disposal.

Planning officers determined that there would still be a majority of retail shops in the area, the resubmitted shop front signage was acceptable as long as it maintained its “traditional “approach”, and restricted opening hours, limiting entertainment to background music with sounds insulation, and a sound test should alleviate residents concerns.