DAME Priti Patel has said she is “pleased” following the decision to grant planning permission to a café on a farm in Heybridge.
Dame Priti, who is Witham MP, made representations in support of Chigborough Farm’s change of use application.
The owners of The Farm Café, which is based at the site, applied for retrospective permission to change the use of a barn into a café.
While council planning officers had recommended refusal, elected councillors passed the application at Maldon District Council’s North Western Area Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday.
Hundreds of residents also backed the application.
Meanwhile, Dame Priti highlighted it would be complying with national planning policies to support rural businesses.
Dame Priti added: “Rural businesses need to be able to grow, expand and diversify and Chigborough Farm is an important local leisure and tourist destination.
“With this planning consent being granted, the café on site can continue to provide local jobs and support other local businesses.
“I am pleased that the elected councillors carefully considered the strong case put forward and approved this application.”
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