Cafés to be extended after plans approved

COVERED seating and extensions for two popular cafés were approved last week.

Sea Lane Café, in Marine Crescent, gained approval for a new covered seating area, improving its disabled access, while Coast Café in Beach Parade, will convert an adjoining chalet into an extension for more seating and a new kitchen.

Both applications were approved by the planning committee last Wednesday.

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Sea Lane Café proprietor Peter Atwood said: “I love the outside seating. It’s a real attraction in the summer but I have had real problems with disabled people.

“I have been told that I discriminate against them. A lot of regular customers really want this to go through.”

The Ilex Conservation Group objected to the plan on the grounds of loss of visual amenity to the area, lack of detail and the risk of vandalism.

But the committee were minded to approve the plans.

Along the coast, Coast Café owner Stefan Sykes gained widespread approval for his plan to convert the chalet.

Chairman Joan Bradley said: “It’s going to be a great addition at that end of the beach, which is so lovely and better than a few years ago.”