PLANS for the catering unit which will provide a temporary facility following the demolition of a popular seafront café have been revealed.
The National Trust has submitted the proposal for the Middle Beach car park in Studland.
As reported, Middle Beach Café will cease trading when the current lease expires in January.
This will bring an end to almost 120 years of a café being stood in the same spot at the reserve.
The National Trust is seeking permission from Dorset Council to install a temporary catering trailer in the car park and demolish the existing café and storage building.
A planning statement submitted on behalf of the applicant by Twelve Architects said: “The proposed demolition of the existing cafe buildings is necessary in light of the considerable risk of building collapse as a result of coastal processes and slope instability.
“The removal of the building would not have a detrimental impact on the Studland Conservation Area.
“The temporary replacement facilities will ensure that Middle Beach still has catering and toilet facilities available for the temporary period of three years until the proposals for a permanent replacement toilet facility are finalised.”
The future plan for Middle Beach includes removing failing sea defences and re-profiling of the cliffs, although this is not likely to take place until late 2023 with a separate planning application required.
The temporary catering facility would be located in the car park and accessed using the existing pathway from the beach up to the car park.
It would be near the existing temporary toilets, with the National Trust proposing to create a car free zone in this area.
Delivering this zone would allow space for more seating and picnic tables, the applicants say.
The current café building has been in place since 1954, with Paul Brown operating it for more than 30 years.
Mr Brown said the closure, which is due to take place on January 2, would be the “end of an era”.
He told the Daily Echo: “I am sad to say goodbye, but I can’t fight nature and I definitely can’t fight the National Trust,” Paul said.
“We’ve tried – there have been petitions – but it hasn’t worked. In the long term, the trust is not wrong but it is also not right.”
The National Trust’s planning application is currently being considered by Dorset Council officers, with a public consultation open until December 23.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel