Plans to change a recently built cafe into holiday lets in Totland Bay on the Isle of Wight have been refused.
The Bay Cafe was built as part of the multi-million-pound redevelopment of Totland Pier and opened for a season in 2021.
But it did not reopen last summer, prompting questions over its future.
Short-stay holiday rental rooms
Plans had been hatched by Surrey-based developers, Wooldridge Group to shut the cafe for good, instead turning the space into five short-stay holiday rental rooms.
The proposals were not met with community support.
Objections to the conversion
Totland Parish Council was among those to object to the plans, saying a cafe has been at the site since the 1940s — including the popular Pier Cafe —and has been enjoyed by locals as well as visitors.
It said it supported the original investment plans, but was disappointed with the new application as it will lose employment opportunities, a community asset and change the character of the beach area.
A lack of facilities, it said, will deter people coming to the area.
Other objections
Another objector, commenting on the council’s planning portal, said there had been no consideration to the area nor the people and they would like to see a plan that recognises the local community and keeps the cafe as part of Totland Bay.
Isle of Wight council planning officers agreed with objectors and refused the application last week.
Loss of community asset
The planning authority determined the change of use would result in the loss of an existing cafe that serves visitors to the area and the local community.
They said the loss of the cafe would have a detrimental impact on tourism provision, the vitality of a key seafront destination and community amenities.
Other factors
The application also failed to address other planning aspects like nitrate neutrality and the Solent special protection area. It also had an insufficient flood risk assessment.
Further up the pier, at the new restaurant, changes have been approved by the Isle of Wight council to the internal layout, including new entrance doors.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: © The Bay Cafe, Totland
