New eatery could be built in this Rotherham suburb

Plans have been submitted to Rotherham Council for a change of use for a shop, which forms part of a parade on Bawtry Road in Wickersley to become a cafe/restaurant.

Such changes need local authority approval and are subject to planning rules, but the application agues the change is acceptable.

The site is within Wickersley’s main shopping area, where it is deemed at least 65 per cent of properties should remain as shops.

The breakdown between shops and other businesses is currently hovering around that mark, but existing planning consent which could see the building sub-divided could be scrapped as part of a new approval, documents submitted to the council state.

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Practically, that would help push the balance towards a domination by shops.

The unit has been empty for five months, with planners told there has been little interest in re-using it for a retail business.

Under the proposals, a new business could operate seven days a week, opening at breakfast time and trading into the late evening.

Wickersley has seen a growth in the popularity of restaurants and cafes in recent years,

Late last year a business just outside the main Wickersley shopping area was granted permission to expand into an adjoining building, despite concerns raised by neighbours and the parish council.