Plans to bring a new café into a high street have been given the green light after the design was scaled back.
Bosses at Capelli Hairdressers in New Romney submitted plans to build the new eatery behind the business in December.
Capelli Hairdressers is set to bring a new café to New Romney High Street after revised plans were approved. Picture: Ian Upton Architects Limited
The application was salon owner Abigail Adams’ second attempt at expanding facilities, after a previous design was rejected.
Initial proposals would have seen a two-storey property containing both a café and a flat built, but the scheme was described as “unacceptable” by council officers.
Now, members of Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) have approved the revised scheme, which will see only a one-storey café built next to the town centre hairdressers.
Planning documents state the proposed eatery is “acceptable” and “would sit comfortably within the site and the wider street scene”.
Previous designs were described as “overly large” by council chiefs. Picture: Ian Upton Architects Limited
Improving on the “overly large” design pushed back in March last year, the salon reduced the height of the building from 8.3 metres to just 3.4 metres.
“It helps to keep the overall height low such that the building would not be unacceptably prominent or intrusive in public views of/within the conservation area,” the officers report explained.
“Due to the scale, design, and siting of the building, there would not be any issues of overlooking, overshadowing, or overbearing for neighbouring residents.”
Design and access documents from the approved application state Ms Adams believes a café would help bring “vitality to this corner of New Romney”, with the café’s public benefit outweighing the “limited harm” it may cause.
Salon owner Abigail Adams wants to “bring vitality” to her corner of New Romney. Picture: Abigail Adams
The project is expected to create three full-time jobs.
While three parking spaces were included in the hairdresser’s original proposals, the café will have no on-site parking.
However, documents explain the site is “immediately adjacent” to West Street Car Park.
The application received one objection on FHDC’s planning portal.
D Frost commented the town is “already served with cafés”, adding: “Regarding the proposal of a single storey building containing a café – we would like to object to this as the building is not in keeping with the conservation area.
Planning officers feel the new café will sit “comfortably” within the high street. It is earmarked to be built on land behind the hairdressers, seen here. Picture: Google
“Also we are concerned about the trees that have a preservation order on them that they will be damaged when the ground is excavated.”
Planning officers acknowledged in their report how the site lies within the New Romney High Street conservation area, but concluded the revised design is acceptable.
The most significant tree to the front of the site is set to be retained, with a “no-dig specification” for areas near other trees to prevent root damage.
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Capelli Hairdressers has been contacted for comment on the approved plans, but previously told KentOnline: “I feel like our part of the High Street doesn’t really offer anything.
“It needs a place for the community where you can just chill, eat and chat.
“We think it’s quite important for a safe space and good food as well.
“All we get from our customers is ‘Do you know anywhere good for lunch?’ We want to be that place.”