A NEW cafe is set to light up Corringham's Grover Walk shopping parade if two new planning applications are permitted.

Following a significant amount of local protest and a successful appeal against Thurrock Council's refusal permission was granted in November for Vakkas Gilgil to open his new dessert cafe on the parade.

The planning inspector overruled the council's decision to block the change of use of the premises from a retail (A1) use to a cafe (A3) use because it would would result in two non-A1 uses next to each other and take the overall level of non-A1 shops to 50 per cent of the total of shops in the designated central shopping parade.

Inspector Terrence Kemmann-Lane said the council's conclusion was not a factual representation of the make-up of the parade and they were misinterpreting the rules. He did not recognise the validity of the council's argument that its decision was 'balanced and fair'.

With that go ahead in place Mr Gilgil has now gone back to the council with plans for the frontage of the cafe, which incudes an illuminated sign.[.L]

You can see the new applications via the links below.

Internally illuminated facia sign. OMG Desserts, 17 Grover Walk, Corringham, SS17 7LP. Ref. No: 21/00088/ADV | Received: Wed 20 Jan 2021 | Validated: Wed 20 Jan 2021 | Status: Awaiting decision.