Planners serve up green light for new cafe

A new cafe is set to land in Sunderland city centre after proposals were approved by planners.

Plans were submitted to Sunderland City Council in 2020 for permission to change the use of a retail space near Park Lane Market.

The building was most recently used as Lucky Devil Vapes.

New plans aim to create a cafe serving drinks and a limited menu including waffles, crepes and ice cream.

According to planning documents, eat-in and takeaway options would be available.

Followingconsultation,the city council’s planning department granted prior approval for the new cafe – with no concernsraisedabouthighwaysissues or noise.

Approved opening hours for the cafe will be 9am-6pm, Monday to Saturday and 11am5pmonSundaysandBankHolidays.

A decision report from the council reads: “[Opening hours] are not considered excessive given the city centre locality and the commercial setting. The use of the premises would not be considered to createanynoiseaboveanunacceptable level and the opening times would prevent any disturbance in the early morning or late evening.

“In terms of waste storage, the applicant has demonstrated that bins would be stored within the premises and disposed of daily.”

Thereportgoesontosay:“It is clear that a [cafe] use would be supported within this area.

“Consequently, there are no grounds to suggest that the proposed use would have any adverse impact on the sustainability of the area, indeed the reuse of the vacant units would be considered to have a positive impact on the vitality and viability of this section of Park Lane.”