'Underused' space could be decked over for cafe

Developers Aquila said the existing area was frequently "underused and undervalued"

Part of a shopping precinct designed to mitigate flooding could be decked over to accommodate a new cafe.

Plans have been submitted to Chelmsford City Council for the open space at Bond Street to be remodelled.

The centre's developers, Aquila, said the existing area was frequently "underused and undervalued".

A flooding report said the proposed decking would have no impact on the available flood compensation capacity.

The area was designed to protect the wider Bond Street development from flooding if the River Chelmer burst its banks.

The new proposal closely followed a previous scheme that was granted planning permission in 2016 but expired before work started.

It would use a timber deck supported by a steel structure, plans showed.

Decking would have no impact on the available flood compensation capacity, a flooding report concluded

Aquila said the area had historically been underused aside from the small seasonal events it hosted.

The cafe would provide a maximum of 24 covers internally but space outside could be used for additional tables.

“The design proposal has been carefully crafted to ensure the site retains its historical function as an events space while providing vital facilities with the addition of a purpose-built café," a planning statement read.

The city council will have the final say on the application.