BRONTE Guest House has received the tick of approval to build a cafe and additional accommodation – but not everyone has welcomed the plans.
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The approved application will see the ground floor of the Morpeth establishment converted from guest accommodation to a cafe including a new outdoor dining area.
The proposal also sought approval for the demolition of the existing double garage off Berkley Street and the construction of a two storey building with garaging underneath for five vehicles and two additional guest suites on the first floor level with external staircases.
But neighbour Katrina Thorpe criticised the application, and said she held a number of concerns over the development of the new cafe and accommodation including traffic, parking availability and noise.
“I’ve owned my unit for the last two years, and I bought it because of it’s location to the main street but also because it’s in a quiet area,” she said.
“There are already issues with parking along the street due to the narrowness and being a one-way street – we often have people coming in the wrong way.
“I don’t believe the proposed cafe will have enough additional [parking] spaces.
“Morpeth is saturated with cafes … There is enough accommodation in Morpeth.”
The development application was exhibited for two weeks in 2016, and received only one submission. But another two submissions objecting to the proposal were received in April this year.
Speaking on the matter, Labor councillor Robert Aitchison said he would be backing the application because it was council’s job to support growth in the community.
“Morpeth is one of those interesting communities. It is somewhere that we are very fortunate to have both heritage, and a vibrant business community,” he said.
“This applicant meets the criteria as what we are here as councillors to support.
“Obviously there is always going to be some out there in the community who feel it does not represent their views but in this situation, the applicant has meet all the criteria and I will be supporting it.”
But Liberal councillor Mitchell Griffin didn’t agree with his party rival, and said he had concerns over the availability of parking.
“It’s an issue widespread throughout Morpeth,” he said. The application was not supported by Liberal councillors Mitchell Griffin and Sally Halliday, and Independent councillor Mike Yarrington.