Cafe may be demolished over planning issue

The Riverside Inn Cafe is in Ross-on-Wye

Owners of a cafe have been warned it may be demolished over a planning infringement dating back to the previous owner.

Charlie Baker and partner Rebecca Pickup, who owns the Riverside Inn and the separate Riverside Inn Cafe in Ross-on-Wye, in Herefordshire, feared an enforcement notice would mean the loss of 16 jobs.

The couple bought the derelict inn in summer 2024 and opened the cafe, which is a modern timber-clad kiosk, in October last year.

However, a condition with the 2020 planning permission for the kiosk required a study which assessed the risk of contamination of the site from a nearby council dump and a programme of action if it was detected.

The couple attempted to discharge this condition by submitting a report in summer but were told by Herefordshire Council that this was not acceptable because it lacked information on how the kiosk had been built.

The council's cabinet member for environment, Elissa Swinglehurst, said the authority was actively engaging with the owner to resolve outstanding issues and confirmed no enforcement notice had yet been served.

"I have tried to comply with everything the council have asked for – but I wasn't able to add to my submission," said Mr Baker.

He said he was unaware of any contaminants at the site, which he felt ought to be the responsibility of the council to monitor and remedy.

Mr Baker claimed the council's enforcement officer had warned him the cafe would need to close and that it was at risk of being demolished.

"This will instantly destroy 16 local jobs, cut off our local suppliers, and put the future of the main restaurant and bar at serious risk," he said.

Swinglehurst said the planning conditions "are not arbitrary – they are routine safeguards and are in place to protect public health and ensure the safety of employees, customers and visitors".

"However, in cases where there is a significant breach, enforcement may be necessary as a last resort."

A council spokesperson confirmed that no enforcement notice has yet been served.