A proposed cafe next to Yarmouth Common has been refused by the Isle of Wight Council.
Plans to serve refreshments, cakes, and ice creams to those who use the Common from a restored shipping container, which included a bicycle parking area to the side to allow cyclists to enjoy the cafe, have now been halted as the developers will have to appeal against the decision.
Isle of Wight Council planning officers said the development would constitute a conflict with the existing public footpath provision for cyclists as well as being out of character with the surrounding area, ‘appearing unduly prominent and visually obtrusive’.
Objectors from the town said there is no need for the cafe as there are more than enough nearby in Yarmouth and that the bicycles would impede the enjoyment of residents and visitors as well as blocking the public access to the waterfront.
Yarmouth Town Trust, who one the Common, next to the cafe, objected saying the sea wall is under serious pressure and would put the path and sea wall under additional strain.
However, changes had been made to the application, adding wooden cladding to the kiosk to help make the development sympathetic to its surroundings and providing a rustic appearance.
Inez Newman, who proposed the kiosk said:
“It’s a real shame and I feel quite deflated.
Article continues below this advertisement “A lot of objections were about cyclists leaving their bicycles on and around the footpath and on the Common, but we said we would build a bike parking rack at the top of the road, away from the Common. However, people were still not happy about that.
“There is this new vision to encourage cyclists in the UK but not around here.
“Lots of people I have spoken to have said it’s such a good idea, but I suppose it’s the people who don’t want it to happen who have the louder voices.
“As for the look of the structure, we can design anything to blend in with the keeping of the area, even make it look like a bird hide.
“Anyway, I will sit down and have another think about what course of action I will now take.”
There are 28 days to appeal the decision, or until 10th June.
Move your idea to Ryde. Anything goes here, no matter if it is green fields being built upon forever. Or seaside kiosks, alleged to pay cash to some workers. All it takes is having ‘large b…s’ to do so it seems for some.
Mind it ‘could’ be a case of whether you are ‘in’ the click of the council, or even have feet firmly under the board room table whether planning is forthcoming or not.
Lets hope that assumption of planning is incorrect but some things are common knowledge in Ryde. Yarmouth may be a little different.
Shame as it seemed a nice safe idea. Good luck.
The last thing we need is a large number of cyclists overflowing onto the main road, as they surely would, impeding traffic on the principal link between West Wight and the rest of the island.
There are plenty of decent cycle routes around Wellow and the old railway line to Freshwater etc, there are more small roads off the main one you know.
The old railway would be a good place for the kiosk then, surely?
Quite Mike.
There are already too many cyclists on the main Yarmouth – Newport road, causing delays to traffic and increasing the potential of accidents, as motorists are forced into taking risky manoeuvres to pass them.
What is needed is the separation of cyclists from road vehicles, they don’t mix well.
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At one time it was proposed to improve and open access onto the old railway line Y’th-N’pt.
This would provide a very safe and scenic ride for cyclists going to and from West Wight…
Cycle route pathways don’t help train for their speed trials. When they are on their speed trials the larger traffic is the last thing on their minds and the is a main artery between Newport and the West Wight so the less they are encouraged the better. It’s only a short ride to the old Yarmouth Railway Station cafe and much safer for them.
Think it could of been a good idea with nice views hopefully they can come up with something. Don’t give up the idea. Some of moan about anything