Pizza cafe plan near monument shelved
The National Trust owns the Grade I-listed site
- Published
Opposition from the public and the National Trust has led to the plug being pulled on plans for a "pizza cafe" near a historic monument on Wearside.
The proposal for the site at the foot of Penshaw Hill included indoor and outdoor seating, toilets and car parking and was designed to be "low profile and unobtrusive".
However, concerns were raised about increased litter and congestion issues, parking pressures, and wildlife impacts.
Sunderland City Council planners served notice on Green Property Developments Ltd that it would be recommended for refusal, and the application was withdrawn.
The cafe was proposed for a site adjacent to the two dwellings at the foot of Penshaw Hill, off the A183 Chester Road, and within the green belt.
It would have provided a “pizza food and beverage ... eating/servery area” and a “display area for National Trust publications and information”.
According to the developers, its low pitch sedum [green roof] would have effectively camouflaged the building when viewed from the monument above.
In addition, it would “provide a significant employment opportunities".
The "low profile" development was planned for the foot of Penshaw Hill
The Local Democracy Reporting Service reported that 16 public objections were raised during a council consultation.
One dubbed the proposal as “detrimental [and] inappropriate", and others included fears over increased litter, parking pressures, and wildlife impacts.
Of the four supportive comments, one said it offered the “alternative to a traditional café offering” and would be welcomed by "young families as well as adults”.
However, there was further objection from the National Trust, which owns Penshaw Monument.
It argued there would be a “detrimental impact” on the Grade I-listed site along with “landscape and visual, ecological and parking and traffic concerns”, and would impact the “openness” of the green belt.
Council planning documents showed that the planning application has now been officially withdrawn by the applicant.
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