Loddon: Six flat plan above the Terrace cafe approved

Plans to build six flats above The Terrace Cafe in Loddon have been given the green light by South Norfolk Council (SNC).

The cafe, on Church Plain, was once home to Barclays Bank, which closed in 2017.

The plans will see the building and roof extended, while the cafe below will be retained.

Kay Mason Billig (Image: Archant)Kay Mason Billig, the local SNC member, was among those to object to the plan at a recent planning committee meeting.

She said: “There has been a lot of disquiet locally because this is a major development for the centre of Loddon.  

“It’s a conservation area with lots of listing buildings around it people are very concerned about the size of the development."

Ms Mason Billig argued it would overlook a commercial neighbour - which is moving into the former public toilet next door - and would create issues with parking.

While she acknowledged that there was permit parking available in the adjacent council car park, she feared many residents would try to park for free on the High Street, causing issues for emergency service.

The committee was split on the application with Lisa Neal saying she found it "difficult".

Lisa Neal (Image: Archant)

“It ticks a lot of boxes, it’s a sustainable location in the town centre," she said. 

“But I do find the scale of the development – it is very large, it’s in a conservation area, that doesn’t mean you can’t have development, but it should be more sensitive.” 

But Clayton Hudson disagreed, arguing it was as sympathetic to the area.

Clayton Hudson (Image: Archant)

“It will bring much-needed, smaller units in a sustainable location, right in the centre,” he said. 

The application was approved five for to four against.