Plans to demolish a former Italian restaurant in Bolton-le-Sands and replace it with five houses are again being recommended for refusal.
Lancaster City Council planners want to see a "robust marketing exercise" to show that the former Miaitalia premises on the Bye-pass Road is no longer feasible as a restaurant.
The council's planning committee, who previously turned down the plans in April, will meet for further talks on the matter on Monday December 5.
The proposal is to knock down the old restaurant building in Bolton-le-Sands and build three new detached houses and two semi-detached homes.
Owner David Waddington told Beyond Radio in March that the business was "no longer viable" as a restaurant in Bolton-le-Sands.
"There are reasons why that site will always struggle, and even more so now, post-Covid, as a food business," said Mr Waddington.
"Bolton-le-Sands is a fantastic village to live in and the council are crying out for people to build houses in the area.
"If I thought there was trade to be had, I would have continued as a restaurant."
Miaitalia has since moved to a new location in Morecambe town centre, pictured below with Mr Waddington on the left. The restaurant opened on Queen Street in May.
The meeting on Monday will take place at Morecambe Town Hall, starting at 10.30am, and is open to the public.
A report published in advance of the meeting says: "The applicant has failed to evidence to the satisfaction of the Local Planning Authority that a robust and transparent marketing exercise has taken place demonstrating that the retention of the existing use is no longer economically viable or feasible. In addition, it has not been demonstrated that the current use no longer retains an economic and social value for the community it serves."
The report says the council has received two letters from agents Armitstead Barnett to support the plans.
One of these letters says the empty Bolton-le-Sands premises is "representative of the hospitality sector at present which still appears to be suffering from the effect of lockdown and increases in costs".
The report goes on to say: "The letter goes on to state that whilst the property could be offered to the market as a commercial premises it is felt that this would receive little or no interest given that there are an increasing number of commercial and restaurant type premises being offered for sale within the region which have received very little interest.
"The letter points out that it is worthy of note that some of these premises are in stronger and more popular locations.
"The sentiment of this letter may be correct, but without the marketing exercise the local planning authority has no certainty of this."
Mr Waddington said ahead of the meeting: "Since the previous planning meeting and then following a recommended pre-application meeting with council officers in August, a change of use to residential application was approved by council planning in October.
"We are looking forward to the application getting a fair hearing amongst committee members at the upcoming meeting on Monday.
"It's a brownfield site, prime for redevelopment since the business relocated to Morecambe earlier this year."
Lancaster remains best university in North West England in Complete University Guide
'Music with the Mayor' initiative launched to support North Lancashire’s Citizens Advice
DIARY: Beyond Radio presenter fighting cancer continues his '60 Before 60' challenge
BIG FIGHT COUNTDOWN: Tyson Fury's father John headbutts Usyk supporter ahead of undisputed heavyweight title fight
Decision to refuse Galgate housing scheme planning permission upheld following public inquiry
INTERVIEWS and PHOTOS: The story of Highest Point festival 2024
INTERVIEW: Lancaster prison officer backed by Tyson Fury wins sport contest ahead of Miss England bid
VIDEO and INTERVIEW: Lancaster schoolboy, 10, makes drum 'n' bass DJ debut at Lancaster festival
Highest Point 'Lancaster Rocks' night cancelled due to thunderstorms warning
Quad bike rider dies after road crash in Morecambe
Morecambe guesthouse couple to star on reality TV show 'Four in a Bed'
PHOTOS: Northern Lights dazzle on Highest Point festival day one
Mother and son unveiled as new Lancaster mayoral team
New police and crime commissioner for Lancashire begins role
Morecambe homeless man jailed after admitting criminal damage
Firefighters tackle fire at flat in Morecambe
Lancaster youth charity awarded £221,400 towards vision for 'creative youth space' in city
Tennis club near Lancaster unveils new courts after £50,000 fundraising campaign
INTERVIEW: Highest Point chief 'proud' of lineup for 2024 festival
Highest Point festival stage times: all you need to know
