A proposal to build a new seafront café on the site of a ‘half-built eyesore’ in an Isle of Wight village has divided opinion.
Hospitality business SE-View’s application for a café at Kingsmere on Land End Road in Bembridge is opposed by both Island Roads and Bembridge Parish Council despite 19 members of the public supporting the bid.
SE-View’s application form said:
“The proposed development would result in the construction of a replacement cafe within the application site.
“This is a much compromised and reduced application from the previous and subsequent pre-application advice; removing the kiosks and shops and reducing the building footprint.
“The current use of the site is a half-built café construction which was abandoned mid-build leaving an eyesore on the site.”
Bembridge Parish Council said the application ‘fails to meet’ policies set out in the Bembridge Neighbourhood Plan while Island Roads listed three grounds of objection: inadequate parking provision, turning area and visibility.
The Highways service provider’s submission said:
“Insufficient information has been provided to determine if the displaced demand for car parking likely to be generated by the proposed development would have a significant impact on the surrounding highway network.
“The proposal does not safely accommodate service and delivery vehicles and will introduce additional hazards to users of the highway.
“The proposal does not have sufficient visibility to provide a safe and suitable access.”
Bembridge resident Tony Adlam said:
“I strongly support this application. The current site is an eyesore and a blight on the landscape.
“The previous café was a well-loved and very popular attraction; a replacement such as this application outlines can only be for the benefit of all – residents, visitors alike.”
The council’s public consultation on the proposal ends on 14th February and a decision is scheduled for 10th March.
The considerably richer than you drigade wont want that..
Island Roads weren’t worried about increased traffic in Spindlers Road in St Lawrence when we objected to about 8 properties being built in Seven Sisters Road. This road is already dangerous as St Lawrence Shute is now a rat run because of the loss of Undercliff Drive. According to them the road could handle the extra traffic.
Island Roads are run by Numpties that is why,
you only have to look at many of the operatives
Billy and Silly!, they are clueless.
What is it with this obsession with the word, ‘Numpty”?
Anything is an improvement to what is there at the moment.
I like it. Could be wonderful. Unlike the dreadful banal mishmash of buildings around it but that’s just me
They should have left the old cafe the way it was.
It was a great place.
‘inadequate parking provision, turning area and visibility’? Er, it’s on a seafront where plenty of people walk. Or do you mean for mobility scooters?
back in the ’60s there was a lovely and well used café on this site and it looked a lot better that this. No problem with parking, as you only had to turn right and follow the road for a few yards and you could park freely on the grass area. I paid a visit back to the island several years ago to reminisce, (I don’t think they can touch you for it)? I really did not understand how much Bembridge had gone down the pan. I really did not recognise where I was born and bought up, so much had changed and not for the better. No fire station anymore, what the hell is going on? The more of what I see going on in my little old village, where nearly everybody knew each other, all gone and for what? You will never understand it, but it hurts.