Plans to bring a new caf\u00e9 into a high street have been given the green light after the design was scaled back.<\/p>\n
Bosses at Capelli Hairdressers in New Romney submitted plans to build the new eatery behind the business in December.<\/p>\n
Capelli Hairdressers is set to bring a new caf\u00e9 to New Romney High Street after revised plans were approved. Picture: Ian Upton Architects Limited<\/p>\n
The application was salon owner Abigail Adams\u2019 second attempt at expanding facilities, after a previous design was rejected.<\/p>\n
Initial proposals would have seen a two-storey property containing both a caf\u00e9 and a flat built, but the scheme was described as \u201cunacceptable\u201d by council officers.<\/p>\n
Now, members of Folkestone and Hythe District Council (FHDC) have approved the revised scheme, which will see only a one-storey caf\u00e9 built next to the town centre hairdressers.<\/p>\n
Planning documents state the proposed eatery is \u201cacceptable\u201d and \u201cwould sit comfortably within the site and the wider street scene\u201d.<\/p>\n
Previous designs were described as \u201coverly large\u201d by council chiefs. Picture: Ian Upton Architects Limited<\/p>\n
Improving on the \u201coverly large\u201d design pushed back in March last year, the salon reduced the height of the building from 8.3 metres to just 3.4 metres.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt 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,\u201d the officers report explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cDue to the scale, design, and siting of the building, there would not be any issues of overlooking, overshadowing, or overbearing for neighbouring residents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Design and access documents from the approved application state Ms Adams believes a caf\u00e9 would help bring \u201cvitality to this corner of New Romney\u201d, with the caf\u00e9\u2019s public benefit outweighing the \u201climited harm\u201d it may cause.<\/p>\n
Salon owner Abigail Adams wants to \u201cbring vitality\u201d to her corner of New Romney. Picture: Abigail Adams<\/p>\n
The project is expected to create three full-time jobs.<\/p>\n
While three parking spaces were included in the hairdresser\u2019s original proposals, the caf\u00e9 will have no on-site parking.<\/p>\n
However, documents explain the site is \u201cimmediately adjacent\u201d to West Street Car Park.<\/p>\n
The application received one objection on FHDC\u2019s planning portal.<\/p>\n
D Frost commented the town is \u201calready served with caf\u00e9s\u201d, adding: \u201cRegarding the proposal of a single storey building containing a caf\u00e9 – we would like to object to this as the building is not in keeping with the conservation area.<\/p>\n
Planning officers feel the new caf\u00e9 will sit \u201ccomfortably\u201d within the high street. It is earmarked to be built on land behind the hairdressers, seen here. Picture: Google<\/p>\n
\u201cAlso we are concerned about the trees that have a preservation order on them that they will be damaged when the ground is excavated.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The most significant tree to the front of the site is set to be retained, with a \u201cno-dig specification\u201d for areas near other trees to prevent root damage.<\/p>\n