AN EXISTING cafe and restaurant is set to be demolished to make way for a new development that will also feature an indoor market and 10 flats.

Members of Suffolk Coastal District Council have given the thumbs up to a scheme in Remembrance Road, Thorpeness.

Barn Hall, which is now used as a beach cafe/restaurant, shop and craft shop at ground-floor level with residential units above, will be demolished.

It will be replaced by an in-part replica building for a range of uses. The ground floor would comprise a cafe/restaurant, indoor market and two studio apartments, while the first floor would feature eight studio apartments.

Aldringham-cum-Thorpe Parish Council supported the application, but there were also 19 letters of objection.

Concerns were raised that the scheme was an over development of the site, that it would “destroy the character” of the conservation area and that it would generate the need for at least 10 car parking spaces which could worsen the existing parking situation.

Suffolk Coastal’s north area development control sub-committee gave the scheme the thumbs up subject to conditions. These include a payment towards affordable housing and satisfactory parking arrangements.

The report considered by councillors concluded the scheme was acceptable and would “preserve or enhance the character and appearance” of the Thorpeness conservation area.