A garden centre café which has been operating for more than a decade has finally been deemed lawful.
The Creake Plant Centre, based on Leicester Road in South Creake, had to submit a lawful development certificate to West Norfolk Council, and saw it approved last week.
This was to establish that the use of a building within the premises as a café can continue to be permitted.
The café at the Creake Plant Centre has been deemed lawful – a decade after it opened. Picture: Google Maps
The plant nursery itself has been operating for more than ten years.
“It appears that due to the success of the business that a separate building was created to sell associated products and that a café has also established over time,” a report from borough council planning officers said.
“The question is whether the shop and café are now lawful in planning terms.”
Several pieces of information were submitted to the council, including two videos – one dating back to 2015 – showing a space where drinks could be purchased.
There was also a letter from a customer stating that the café had been operating for more than a decade, but is not anymore due to the owner’s retirement.
“It is concluded from the video evidence and the definition of café, that the building has been in use as both a shop and café for over ten years,” the report added.
“The letters from customers and staff also support this. It is noted that one of the letters submitted as evidence states that the café use has ceased since the owner’s retirement.”
The café essentially became lawful in October last year because of how long it had been running, meaning no enforcement action can be taken.
A statement from the parish council said: “South Creake Parish Council are happy to support this as it is a café for use by parishioners and holidaymakers alike and is well sited at the garden centre.”
For more planning applications in your area, visit the Public Notice Portal at publicnoticeportal.co.uk
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