Plans for farm shop and cafe submitted

If approved, the new farm shop and cafe would have its own entrance and visitor parking

Plans for a new farm shop and cafe at a former agricultural site are due to be considered by councillors.

The proposals, submitted to West Northamptonshire council by Courteenhall Estate, aim to transform a disused fertiliser store in West Lodge Farm, near Roade, Northampton, into a farm shop and cafe, along with two industrial storage units.

The development would include a central shop and cafe at the main entrance, with 53 parking spaces for visitors created in the surrounding yard.

Council officers have recommended the plans are approved, which they say align with the site's post-agricultural future.

Planning documents state that the buildings will change very little externally from their previous agricultural use

Courteenhall Estate said the project would repurpose the redundant building, complementing other recent industrial conversions at the site, such as offices and storage units.

According to plans seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a new public access route is also proposed to separate visitor traffic from staff and delivery vehicles, ensuring a safer flow of movement on the premises.

Operational hours for the commercial spaces may run between 08:00 and 18:00, Courteenhall Estate said.

Exact opening times for the cafe and shop, as well as how many jobs would be created, were yet to be confirmed.

A planning committee is due to vote on the plans on Thursday.