A NEW café for Crossways has moved closer with the granting of planning permission for a Mount Skippet Way site - although the parish council and several residents have opposed it.

The plot is on the north side of the road between the village post office and convenience store and close to the library and health centre.

A planning application, now approved by Dorset Council, says the café would offer outside seating with a one-bed flat on the first floor.

An agent’s report claims the new building will improve the general look of the area: “The proposed building would be of contemporary appearance, with a pitched roof to reflect other development in the vicinity. Materials would comprise vertical timber cladding and metal roofing with aluminium doors and windows, which would provide articulation and architectural interest… The proposed scheme has been designed to uplift the area which currently lacks buildings of architectural interest.”

Several residents had objected to the application with an immediate neighbour claiming he would only be feet away from the proposed bin area and toilet and would also lose light because of the new building.

The parish council also objected reflecting residents’ views that the building would increase the amount of traffic on already over-crowded residential streets, increasing the risk to vulnerable pedestrians. Some claimed the area did not need a café.