Plans to transform a Gateshead church into a new restaurant have not been backed by council officers.
It has been recommended Gateshead councillors refuse an amended application to transform Robert Young Memorial Methodist Church in Crawcrook into a new restaurant. Council officers and Northumbria Police have raised several concerns regarding the amended application.
The police representation stated that the plans for selling food and drink seem "at odds" with the inclusion of a designated bar, and no current application for an alcohol licence.
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Council officers objected to the number of guests the church could theoretically hold and the amount of parking available and added in a council report that the “car park is from the rear via narrow roads and a ninety degree bend”.
Council employees also doubted whether the kitchen could in fact cater to 140 people.
The new application has also generated 17 letters of objection. Residents have objected to potential “strong smells and odours” created by the prospective eatery. An original earlier application after public consultation generated 37 letters of objection.
Residents have also claimed previous noise assessments on the original application were conducted poorly and rendered inaccurate and not reflective of potential disruption. The expectation of large delivery vehicles taking up parking and disrupting traffic also worried locals.
Those living close by have also argued that if the enterprise was granted a licence to operate until 10.30pm there would be a rise of anti-social behaviour and drunkenness, with one objection claiming: “A once tranquil, pretty village is being spoiled by overdevelopment”.
The council’s planning and development committee will meet Wednesday to decide on the application.
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