THE SUCCESSFUL third attempt to increase the size of a busy Christchurch cafe and restaurant will provide “a much in demand facility”.

Staff at the Avon Beach Cafe/Noisy Lobster are celebrating after their plans to carry out a first floor extension were approved by Christchurch Borough Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

The decision to grant was made despite objections from ward councillor Paul Hilliard and more than 100 residents. It was claimed by the establishment’s owners that the 3,000 local people using the beachside business on a weekly basis outweighed these reservations.

Peter Hayward (above), director of Avon Beach Ltd, said: “With the experience gained over the last five years this application is customer led and will provide a much in demand facility.

“I understand that 100 people have written letters of rejection, however this is emphatically dwarfed when you consider that on average we serve 3,000 local people a week, which rises to over 5,000 in peak times.”

The approved development has reduced the extension by 55 per cent from previous plans.

Cllr David Jones put forward an initial motion to reject the scheme, which will provide an additional 36 covers.

However this failed, with four members against the motion to three in favour.

Discussing the loss of coastal views caused by the development, Cllr Jones said: “I do not believe that this is a sacrifice worth making for the alleged benefits that the development would bring.”

Resident Colin Seager had earlier called on the committee to make a statement by refusing the scheme. Despite the objections a motion to approve the scheme was passed by four votes to three.

Cllr Lisle Smith said it was a “difficult” decision.

“I agree with the concerns of residents because I’m aware it causes them issues now. However one of the unenviable tasks we have is deciding whether this application is going to bring any additional material harm and that is what the inspector will look at.”