A CAFE which left a major retailer threatening to pull out of Colchester town centre has been given the green light.

A row erupted after plans for the pavilion-style kiosk in Eld Lane Square were submitted by the owners of Lion Walk shopping centre.

Even church worshippers said the cafe - due to be built between fashion retailer River Island and Eld Lane Baptist Church - could lead to "religious persecution."

But the blueprints were voted through by a majority at Colchester Council's planning committee

River Island, which had claimed the cafe would obscure some of the store's retail frontage "diminishing the viability of the store", changed its stance at the eleventh hour.

An amendment was made to the planning application shortly before Thursday's debate stating it had formally withdrawn its objection, as long as a condition was met if the plans went ahead.

That said the cafe plans must include clearer architectural details about the proposed structure to ensure "integrity of the building".

But objections were still voiced on behalf of Lion Walk United Reformed Church, in Lion Walk, another church metres away from the proposed site.

Representative James Hancox said: "A particular concern is the close proximity of the cafe to our south window, with silent payer, meditation and reflection forming a normal part of Sunday worship.

"We already have to close windows at the north end of the building to stop the noise from the Costa Coffee shop."

But Ian Anderson, of Lion Walk's planning consultants CBRE, told the committee the cafe would "enhance and vitality and viability" of the town centre.

 

Officers had previously recommended the plans were approved.

The application was passed by a majority of nine votes to three, with conditions including those requested by River Island, and the trees and benches are replaced.