A petition supporting a Ryton cafe which has been threatened with closure has amassed more than 800 signatures in under a day.
The future of Fed and Watered, a cafe on Middle Hedgefield Farm on Stella Road, has been brought into question after Gateshead Council refused the eatery retrospective planning permission.
The cafe was built during the pandemic, however, Gateshead Council has deemed it an infringement on the green belt and a traffic hazard, something the owners of the cafe and Jack and Jo's Nursery Garden deny.
Read More: Ryton café owners 'devastated' over council's decision on its future
The owners claim that in the 18 months the cafe has been open they were not aware of any traffic problems or hazards created by the cafe or its westerly entrance. The cafe owners also claim the cafe is not an infringement on the green belt as the site had already been developed with polytunnels.
The owners of the cafe have also been informed by Gateshead Council they have until June to appeal the local authority's planning and development committee's rejection.
The committee, voted 16 to 1 to reject the application on May 17.
At the time of writing a petition supporting the cafe amassed 826 signatures over 21 hours.
One signatory commented: "The Cafe is a lovely quiet venue, with excellent disabled access. On the site of a pre-existing business, and next to much busier businesses and church, yet I haven't observed any noticeable increase in traffic."
Another more scathing signatory wrote: "Incompetent councillors yet again and not caring what this place has done for so many people."
Locals and patrons had previously written to the council praising the cafe for its work within the community.
The letters of support highlighted the cafe's commitment to employing people with different needs and providing a place for the elderly and or bereaved to avoid isolation and loneliness.
Read More:
- Mould, damp and condensation reported in more than 1,000 of Gateshead's council houses
Health report reveals more than 70% of adults in Gateshead are overweight or obese
Neighbours concerned potential children's home on street in Ryton could bring down house prices
North East transport museum gifted historic metro car used in opening of Sunderland line
Children in Gateshead waiting to be adopted for extra 43 days compared to 2021
