Wheels in motion to make improvements at Manifold

PLANS have been submitted for a replacement building to be used as a cafe, shop and cycle hire facility near to the entrance of a popular cyclist and walkers destination in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The planning application is for a building at Brown End Farm, Leek Road Waterhouses which is located just off the A523 at the entrance to the Manifold track at the edge of the village.

The Manifold track attracts thousands of visitors each year and runs through beautiful countryside for approximately nine miles following the route of the disused Leek and Manifold Light Railway, through the Manifold and Hamps Valleys from Waterhouses to Hulme End.

A design and access statement submitted with the planning application by Bagshaws said: “The applicants have recently purchased the property and the previous owners have operated a cycle hire facility from the smallholding in conjunction with the holiday lets for many years.

“The buildings at Brown End Farm are in need of improvement and the scheme building is in a dilapidated and dangerous state.

“Since purchasing the property, the applicants have already started to improve the range of buildings at Brown End Farm.

“As part of the ongoing improvements to the business at Brown End Farm and to meet the needs of the visitors and in particular the cycling market, the following improved facilities are required.

“Additional WC and shower facilities including disabled facilities; covered café area to offer improved guest facilities particularly during inclement weather and improved ancillary shop.

“The proposed replacement building will be used in association with the existing cycle hire business operating from the site to provide a café, shop and improved WC and shower facilities.

“The use will remain ancillary to the current use of the site and provide an improvement to the current facilities on offer to visitors.”

Access to the Brown End Farm is gained directly off the A523 above Rock Cottage and the existing yard area provides parking for existing and proposed visitors.

The design and access statement added: “There is no requirement for any additional parking facilities in order to implement this scheme. The business provides full time employment for the owners of Waterside Cottages Ltd, Ms M Medgyesy and Ms Yvette Tatler, with two part time weekend staff.

“On completion of the improvement to the cycle hire facilities, the applicants intend to increase employment by two full time and three part time staff members.

“The applicants are extremely keen to invest in their business to improve the facilities available to visiting guests.

“Implementation of this scheme will provide improved facilities for users of the Manifold Trail and provide additional employment.”

The planning application will be decided by planners at the Peak Park with the next few weeks.