Locals and Yorkshire Water have raised concerns about proposals for a seafront café to demolish its building and construct an extended property.
The Sandside Café, in Sandsend near Whitby, has applied to demolish its current building and to construct a larger, extended property to “provide for the needs of visitors to the area”.
Located on Sandsend Road, the single-storey beachfront café was opened in 1978.
However, Yorkshire Water has objected to the proposal alongside concerns from local residents.
The utility company said that its “records indicate a water main crosses the red line site boundary”.
It added: “The presence of the main may affect the layout of the site and therefore [we] consider it to be a material consideration in the determination of this application. Yorkshire Water objects to the current proposal as shown.”
Another objector, Martin Bridges, stated: “Local residents suffer enough from thoughtless parking as it is in Sandsend.
“Do we really need to keep spoiling what was once a quiet, picturesque village by continually developing the area and taking away coastal views?
“Surely there are already more than enough places to enjoy a tea or coffee and a snack without the greed of overdeveloping what is already here.”
Local, David Lancaster, suggested that “the new cafe would fit in better if it was grey or blue in colour, i.e, seaside colours, rather than the existing drab brown timber look”.
If the plans are approved, the replacement building would include an extended seating area, as well as a new first-floor, which would be accommodated within the roof space to “minimize the height of the building and its visual prominence” from Sandsend Road.
“This reflects a need for the business premises to expand and serve a growing customer base,” according to submitted plans.
The applicant said it wants to “improve welfare facilities for staff and customers, provide management facilities through the creation of an office, increase catering provision through improved kitchen space, and increase customer seating”.
“The proposals represent the next stage in the development of the site and respond to the needs of the business, visitors, and the local community,” the business added.
According to a planning report, the proposal has been amended following feedback from North Yorkshire Council as part of a “concerted effort to reduce the scale of the replacement building while ensuring that the building meets the necessary business requirements”.
The Highway Authority did not object to the scheme but requested additional conditions if the plan is approved, as the “works may include replacing part of the edges to the existing highway to the proper line and level”.
North Yorkshire Council has not set a date for deciding on the application which is pending consideration.
