Calls to save a Ryton cafe and community hub from demolition continue following Gateshead Council’s refusal to consider another retrospective planning application.
The owner of Fed and Watered cafe, located at Middle Hedfield Farm on Stella Road, is “disappointed” over the local authority’s refusal to consider a new retrospective application for the cafe building. According to Gateshead Council the cafe, built without planning permission but still open despite an enforcement notice, was refused for consideration as a result of a “dangerous road access”.
This comes after three previously failed attempts, dating back years, and two planning inspectorate decisions. In a press release issued by Gateshead Council, the local authority is “very worried about access to a nearby children’s play centre and a footpath to the local primary school, and conflict with cafe traffic.”
However, cafe owner Joanne Stanton maintains the opening hours of the popular eatery, 9am to 2:30pm, are in place to ensure to avoid potential collisions. In September 2024, Jon Pearson, a highways consultant employed by Fed and Watered, disputed the council’s concerns that entrance was dangerous and traffic fears could have been alleviated with a one-way system.
The council has also stated an enforcement notice has been in place for the cafe since May 2023 but the cafe has remained open. Joanne told the local democracy reporting service that the cafe will remain open while it asks for negotiations.
According to both Joanne and Lib Dem councillor Ron Beadle, a request for a meeting to help find an acceptable application was refused. However, following on from a conversion with officers in September 2024 council Beadle claims it was his “impression”, that the council could work with the cafe owners to resolve the issue.
However, following this, the local authority dismissed the most recent application and reiterated the cafe should have been demolished. The local authority has also stated that under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990 it can refuse to determine planning applications submitted on sites where an enforcement notice has already been issued.
It also stated that the most recent application, including the introduction of a one-way system, “offers no significant new information that has not already been considered”.
Joanne said: “Why does the council want a valuable resource closed. After Covid businesses are closing left, right and centre, why would they not support it to stay open.”
Ron Beadle said: “What I have said before and what I say now is that the officer and planners should sit down with Fed and Watered and explain what sort of planning application would be acceptable. There are other businesses on that site woking perfectly well without accidents.
“The statement from the council says there are no material differences from the other applications but the last one included a one way system. What I am calling for now is for them to meet with the owners and their planning representatives to explain what would be acceptable”.
The cafe has long enjoyed popular support, including a petition opposing its potential demolition which by August 2023 had amassed over 2,500 signatures. Fed and Watered was also voted by Chronicle readers as their favourite place for breakfast in 2023.
Anneliese Hutchinson, strategic director for economy, innovation and growth at Gateshead Council, said: “The Council has made this decision in the interests of protecting the safety of pedestrians and drivers using this area, including those using the footpath which leads towards a local school and a children’s play facility.
“We are prepared to use our planning enforcement powers when necessary to ensure that members of the public are protected from development that causes harm to their safety. We have tried to work with the owners of the Fed and Watered café for a long period, to try to resolve the planning dispute around this development.
“But we have now reached a point where no new information is coming forward, and we do not have proposals that would be acceptable for highway safety. The independent planning inspector appointed by the Government has supported our position, and we are moving to enforcement as a last resort.
“Gateshead Council is always keen to support businesses where it can, and officers did work with the applicant to try to find solutions to the planning concerns, but in this case the location is not considered suitable. The council will always be willing to help a community café set up in an appropriate location.”
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