Plans for new cafe in Shipston agreed despite opposition over traffic concerns

A CONTROVERSIAL bid for a new addition to Shipston’s café collection has been given the go-ahead.

In light of objections from the town council and district Cllr Dave Passingham (Green, Shipston South) – plus opposition from a large number of residents – the plan for the Old Power House in Campden Road, was sent to Stratford District Council’s planning committee last Wednesday (6th November) for a decision.

A number of conditions were applied by the committee but the plan was approved.

The building sits on the corner of Campden Road and Green Lane, with the Darlingscote Road junction opposite. The existing car wash is attached to it, triggering concerns that a café would make a difficult situation at the crossroads worse by generating more traffic – and more attempts to park nearby when there is no on-site parking. But the county council, as highways authority, said there was enough parking nearby to overcome those fears, though it did ask for deliveries to not be allowed during morning and evening peak hour times – and for cycle storage to be provided.

The agreed opening hours are 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday and 11am to 9pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

There were concerns were that the café would operate as a takeaway. But an officer’s report to the meeting said that while a limited takeaway operation would be part of a café, that had to be ancillary to its main use – an outlet operating primarily as a takeaway needed a different application process.