PLANNING chiefs at Warrington have given the go-ahead for a café in the Green Belt at Walton.
The scheme involves a change of use from a farm shop in Runcorn Road – and the application was retrospective as the café has been operating since early last year, the borough council’s development management committee was told.
Walton Parish Council and Moore Parish Council objected to the change of use and neighbouring Halton Borough Council expressed concerns about traffic issues.
There was also an objection from a nearby resident although another resident supported the scheme.
But Warrington Borough Council planning officers told the committee a change of use from a farm shop to a café would not normally require planning consent.
In this case, however, consent was required because the original permission for a farm shop was subject to a condition that produce sold in the shop should be grown on the farm or nearby.
The committee heard that the original building had been extended by a canopy over the customer entrance.
A car park for 11 vehicles had been provided, together with external seating. The café could accommodate 28 people at one time, inside and out.
Moore Parish Council was concerned that the café could have a detrimental impact on Moore Village Shop and Post Office.
Officers recommended the scheme be approved as the café would not cause harm to visual or residential amenity nor to the local highway network.
It would, in fact, support a prosperous rural economy.
