Longboat Cafe: conservation officer supports new plans

PLANS to build a seafront restaurant on the site of the Longboat Cafe have won the support of the district council s conservation officer.

PLANS to build a seafront restaurant on the site of the Longboat Cafe have won the support of the district council's conservation officer.

When, in 2008, Longboat owner Brent Hushon first applied to demolish the cafe to make way for a glass-fronted restaurant, the proposal was deemed 'unacceptable' by the council conservation officer on the grounds it was 'over dominant' and detrimental to the character of the area.

Now, the same officer is supporting the application, saying Mr Hushon's recently-amended plans would have less of an impact on the conservation area than it was first thought.

The district council officer has expressed concerns about a lack of detail in the current plans, relating to the appearance of the proposed development.

But the officer said, provided the details were forthcoming, the conservation department would be willing to support the application.

The officer's report says: "I would support the contemporary approach, as long as the concept, form and detailing is appropriate and conceived to the highest standard."

Many who are opposed to the application have pinned their arguments on the fact the Longboat is within a conservation area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.