A bid to create a community café-bistro on a village high street will go to the vote this week after receiving a mix of support and objections.

Applicant Sam Dowey wants to convert a Moorsholm property into a new mixed use café, bistro, and shop – with the store to stock convenience products for villagers. Plans also include a meeting space for community activities and groups.

Extending the High Street home at the rear by around four foot and internal alterations to open up the ground floor are part of the plan. Redcar and Cleveland Council planning officials have recommended the vision gets the nod at a committee meeting on Thursday.

No objections have been lodged by the council’s highways team, and environmental health officers are happy as long as conditions are met. These include an approved ventilation system for potential smells and ensuring construction and demolition are limited to between 8am and 6pm from Monday to Friday, 8am to 1pm on Saturdays, and no work on Sundays.

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But the project has sparked some concerns about potential parking problems and a neighbouring wall. Worries about impacts on other meeting rooms in the village and its conservation area were also sounded among the 10 objections.
One wrote: “The High Street is busy with farming vehicles and tanker deliveries. In such a residential area, increased business traffic will totally compromise the village as a whole.

“Many residents have to park on the street in close proximity to Number 22 – so where will they find alternative parking?” Another added: “Whilst the benevolent gesture of giving to the community is honourable, it has to be said that in such a small community of approximately 400 residents, which is well served with two village halls and a licensed sports club, these existing buildings provide a surfeit of meeting rooms which rely heavily on village events to raise funds for maintenance.”

However, the plans have also prompted a healthy bout of support from nine correspondents. One backer told the council it would be a “great asset” to the village.
Another lifelong villager pointed to other quaint villages which had cafes offering breakfasts and other facilities.

He added: “I welcome this application being passed.

“All these commercial properties in surrounding villages (are) nestled in the heart of the village community and are no different to the proposed application.”

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