Open Despite Objections - Leigh-on-Sea

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The Squeeze Cafe failed to get planning permission last year to turn the ground, first floor and basement of 96 Broadway into a cafe with a rear garden and roof terrace for outside dining.

A CAFÉ in Leigh’s Broadway which opened without planning permission is set to be granted retrospective permission by Southend council, despite objections from Leigh Town Council.

The Squeeze Cafe failed to get planning permission last year to turn the ground, first floor and basement of 96 Broadway into a cafe with a rear garden and roof terrace for outside dining.

The proposal was rejected by the council over fears of noise disturbance to neighbours.

Leigh Town Council, who opposed the development, stated in their objection: “The proposed development is overbearing in design and appearance and not protecting the amenity of the site with regard to outlook and immediate neighbours with regard to noise and disturbance.

“The application has failed to demonstrate that the conversion of the whole building to a cafe/ restaurant and the proposed use of the terrace for customer seating, does not give rise to an unacceptable level of noise and disturbance and demonstrable harm to the amenities of neighbours.

“The application has stated that they will close the downstairs to limit noise which creates some cause for concerns as this is not an enforceable proposed modification.”

Owners went ahead with the development despite the refusal, and opened the café, which is now operational, but without the roof terrace.

Neighbours had objected to the original plans over noise and disturbance, as well as the impact of the bin store, and the terrace screening on the character of the building and conservation area, and the loss of privacy and overlook from the proposed terrace.

Retrospective plans now lodged with Southend Council have additional noise mitigation measures included.

Changes to the application also include amending the proposed terrace balustrade from obscure glass to slatted timber.

A bin area will be screened, and a smaller and quieter window extraction fan replace the proposed large extract fan within the kitchen window.

The application will be disused at development control committee.

If approved, the café will continue to operate from 8.30am to 4pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 10pm on Saturday, and 9am to 4pm on Sunday.

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