Express & Echo (City & East Devon Edition)
Rockfish eyes new site while trying to open three venues
THE owner of the Rockfish restaurant chain has revealed plans for yet another seaside venue, while two other sites remain in limbo.
The latest plans are to transform a family-run beachfront cafe in Budleigh Salterton into a seafood restaurant.
Mitch Tonks, boss of Rockfish, submitted plans to revamp the Longboat Cafe on Budleigh Salterton seafront to East Devon District Council (EDDC) last month. The proposals are for an extension to the existing building, which will be an external dining space with a retractable roof and windows.
The application also says there are hopes of replacing the shelter next door which has been the subject of a planning wrangle between EDDC and the cafe.
On its Facebook page, the cafe says it was built during the pandemic to help the business survive to allow social-distancing measures, as part of then-temporary measures which allowed moveable structures to be erected next to cafes, pubs and restaurants without planning permission. In 2021, the Government made these measures permanent.
The owners of the business say they considered the structure to be moveable as it had been built on wheels but EDDC considered it permanent as it had been secured to the ground to prevent it from being blown out to sea. There is currently an enforcement notice from EDDC in place on the shelter for “unauthorised work”.
Rockfish says in its planning application: “This application seeks to gain planning consent for this thoughtful design proposal which aims to offer a delightful and flexible sea front experience, blending effortlessly with the existing buildings. This planning application presents an opportunity to replace the current shelter ... with a much more sensible and appropriate solution.”
Rockfish has eight restaurants across Devon and Dorset, all of which are in coastal or riverside locations. On its website, the chain has three new venues – Salcombe, Sidmouth and Topsham – set to “open soon”.
Last month, it was confirmed the Salcombe branch would be ready in time for the summer season, with refurbishment having already started on the premises on Island Street.
Rockfish purchased the former L’Estuaire Bistro and Bar on Topsham Quay in June 2022 and has been displaying signs in the doors for months. With no work appearing to have taken place since, Rockfish said in January the project had only just entered the design and planning stages.
An EDDC meeting heard on March 4 that the Sidmouth scheme had been due to be considered by planners last November, but was put on hold by an Environment Agency request for a flood evacuation plan.
“We’re still awaiting – and the local planning authority is still dealing with – an outstanding consultation with the Environment Agency – and it’s likely they’ll be seeking some further information from Rockfish which can be sent to the Environment Agency for further consultation,” EDDC project manager for place and prosperity Alison Hayward said.
The planning application seeks to convert the sea front Drill Hall, once the headquarters of the Sidmouth Territorial Army, into a restaurant.
The adjacent Port Royal toilet block would be demolished and replaced with dining space, but two separate unisex public toilets would be built around the back of the restaurant.
Twenty-one people have objected with 11 in support of the plan.
Detractors lament the proposed loss of the public shelter and seating outside and a potential impact on views. Supporters say the Drill Hall needs redeveloping and the restaurant would provide jobs.
Sidmouth Town Council supports the application, but feels two toilets to replace a block are not enough. It also does not like the proposed restaurant design.