Concerns have been raised by Lincoln city councillors about a newly planned café on Boultham Park Road, predominantly a residential area. Previous use as a shoe shop means a planning application was not required for the café, yet its location has stirred concern. The City of Lincoln Council’s planning committee approved an extraction fan for the café, unsettling some residents due to its closeness to neighbouring gardens.
Councillor Gary Hewson expressed his concern due to significant residential growth in the area, acknowledging the council’s difficulty in outright rejection of the application. His fellow councillor, Calum Watt, is worried about the potential noise from the fan negatively affecting nearby residents’ garden enjoyment. A previous plan to convert the site to a takeaway was rejected, but current regulations permit cafés or restaurants primarily catering to on-site consumption to bypass such constraints.
The fan’s operating hours, extending from 8am to 11pm, further concerned Councillor Rebecca Longbottom, as it goes beyond traditional shop hours. The council’s environmental health team, while believing the fan will not bother residents, has assured that appropriate action would be taken if the café moves towards takeaway services. The application gained approval by a close vote of six to three, amidst continued unease.
This article’s adaptation was based on an original report from www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk.
