A FORMER beauty salon could be transformed into a cafe under new proposals lodged with local authority planners.

Last month, a ‘change of use’ bid was submitted to Durham County Council for 6 Front Street, in Newfield, near Chester-le-Street.

This includes opening a cafe offering hot food, drinks and Sunday lunches with a potential food delivery service on Sundays.

If approved, the business could open between 9am-3pm, Monday to Saturday and 10am-3pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

A statement from the applicant, who is listed as Teri Clennell, adds the cafe will source food and ingredients from local suppliers to reduce the need for delivery vans.

The statement adds: “It has always been a long term plan of mine to open such premises and I would love to do it in an area in which I live.

“I also feel that the immediate community as well as surrounding areas could benefit from this type of premises as there is currently nothing of that nature.”

A final decision on the plans is expected by the end of November following a period of public consultation.

Comments can be made by writing to the council before the deadline, Tuesday, October 15.

For more information, visit Durham County Council’s ‘planning portal’ and search reference: DM/19/02863/FPA