Plans for a kiosk selling coffee and snacks in a council-run car park within walking distance of the beach in Skinningrove have been deferred after councillors said they wanted more information.

The proposal involves a 2.6 metre by 2.2 metre sized storage container made of coated steel which would be sited on St Hild Car Park, in Marine Terrace, Skinningrove.

The container would have a service hatch to the front and a side entrance door.(Image: LDR)

Thirteen letters were received by Redcar and Cleveland Council commenting on the plans, of which 12 were objections.

Concerns ranged from the visual impact, potential littering, increased traffic and potential noise and disturbance to people living in the vicinity.

Councillor Philip Thomson, a member of the council’s regulatory committee, said: “There were a variety of views expressed about the appropriateness of it both aesthetically and in terms of commercial need.

“The applicant did not attend which was a concern of some committee members which meant no opportunity to ask questions [of them].

“It is expected that the application will come back to committee and the applicant will be in attendance on that occasion.”(Image: LDR)

An application form suggested it would be manned by one person and be open seven days a week between 9am and 2pm in the months November to March.

Between April and October those hours would be extended up to 6pm.

The kiosk, which would be powered by a generator, had received a thumbs up from Loftus Parish Council in its representation, which said it would increase visitor numbers and potential tourism to the area.

The council’s environmental protection team, meanwhile, said as it would be a commercial food business further clarification was required on a number of aspects, including access to a toilet and adequate provision for the storage and disposal of waste.

Conditions were also suggested to control the use of the generator and its impact.

A council officer’s report had recommended approval of the plans, subject to conditions being attached.

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It said the size, scale and location of the container would respect the character of the surroundings and not result in any physical effects on neighbouring properties.

The report also noted that the parcel of land on which the kiosk could be sited was in an unmarked parking area.

It said: “Whilst the proposal would remove [one] parking space it is not considered to pose any appreciable effect upon the parking available or the ability to manoeuvre within the existing parking area.”