A wedding and events venue and ‘AirBnB-style’ accommodation is planned next to a café at a country park. The Lamppost Cafe, Burrs Country Park, Bury operate at the former Burrs Activity Centre, which was was built in 1996.
The owners wish to convert an unused part of the building to extend their events offering and create an area ‘to hold community meetings such as Friends of Burrs meetings, corporate hire, educational groups as well as children’s parties, celebrations of life and weddings’.
If the change of use is approved by Bury Council, the area will be called The Barn. The owners are also seeking permission to convert the former bunk rooms in the building into a self-contained ‘Air BnB-style’ two bedroom holiday apartment available for short-term lets.
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The building was built replicate the look of former mill workers cottages which previously occupied the site but had fallen into disrepair. A design and access report with the plans, said: “The activity centre included an indoor climbing wall and a first floor ‘bunk house’ which saw a significant decrease in usage and during 2017 was considered an unviable business and was closed.
“Part of the building has been operated by The Lamppost Café since June 2018. The café also run a successful function room, used by local residents, community groups, small businesses such as dance, yoga and herbal medicine classes, as well as youth community projects.
“They have been very successful in attracting visitors to the park and see an opportunity to expand into the redundant spaces within the building. The existing café and first floor meeting room will be retained and will continue to be operated in their current locations.”
An application for an alcohol licence has already been made by the current operators.
The planning statement, concluded: “These proposals have been developed in association with Bury Council, The Friends of Burrs and the strategic leadership team to expand and revitalise a number of redundant spaces within the former Burrs Visitor Centre.
“This will be undertaken and managed by the proven team at the Lamppost Café for the benefit of the overall park area, the park users and local residents.”
The plans will now be considered by Bury Council planners.
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