East Boldon café and bar applies for permission to continue operating
An East Boldon café and bar business has applied for permission to continue trading.
A café and bar business has applied for retrospective planning permission to continue operating in a South Tyneside village.
The application to the borough council’s planning department is for Rebel’s at Station Approach in East Boldon, near the East Boldon Metro Station.
The business has applied for permission to change the use of a unit from a tool hire use to form a “drinking establishment with expanded food provision”.
As the change of use has been completed, retrospective planning permission is being sought from council development chiefs.
The venue has become established
An accompanying planning statement notes the venue has become “a key part of the community” and is close to local services and public transport links.
The application added the site has been used as a café and drinking establishment for six months and argued there was “no evidence to suggest that this use is having a prejudicial impact upon any of the neighbouring uses”.
Applicants said the development had created economic benefits by reusing a redundant site and creating nine jobs.
They also said the current building retains an industrial character and submitted a report to demonstrate that there were no “sequentially preferable properties available” for the use.
Although the site’s ownership boundaries and existing layout prevent the provision of off-street parking, applicants said the proposals would have a limited impact on the existing road network.
It was noted that constraints around parking provision would apply to any use of the building and that customers would be encouraged to use public transport.
‘A local service for residents and visitors’
The planning statement goes on: “It has been evidenced that the proposal would provide a sustainable form of development in an accessible location.
“The development would also provide other important planning benefits including the recycling of a previously-developed site and the creation of a business with employment opportunities.
“The development also provides a local service for residents and visitors.
“The site is located within an accessible location in a well-established economic area, is walking distance from local services and accessible to public transport including bus services and Metro trains.”
A decision on the plan is expected following a consultation.
For more information, visit the council’s planning portal website and search for reference 260663.