Blockley residents celebrate after village shop approved (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Blockley villagers celebrate after planning for a community shop and cafe was approved

10:27am Friday 11th November 2011 in News By Laura Shack

THRILLED villagers have been celebrating after plans for a community shop and café were given the go ahead.

More than 50 campaigners in two busloads turned up at the planning meeting on Wednesday, carrying placards that read “Don’t kill the heart of our village” and “Localism starts here”.

The scheme was recommended for refusal by Cotswold District Council’s planning officers due to the design and location of the building. But localism prevailed when CDC’s planning committee approved the application, to the delight of Blockley residents.

Pam Merrit of Blockley Co-operative Association (BCA) said: “We are all absolutely thrilled. It means we won’t turn into a dead village. It’s so much more than a shop; it’s a real focal point for the village.”

BCA’s lease on the current Old Coach House site expires in 2013 and residents were keen for the new more spacious base to be approved.

Issues were raised over design features of the proposed shop, which will replace public toilets in the heart of Blockley Conservation Area.

"It’s so much more than a shop; it’s a real focal point for the village."

Pam Merrit of Blockley Co-operative Association

Officers believed the full-height glazed gable and timber clad design “would sit uncomfortably alongside the more traditionally designed buildings on the site” and partially block views of the Grade II* listed Church of St Peter and St Paul.

But Cllr Barry Dare urged councillors to look after the next generations in Blockley and not allow the village to “wither and die on the vine” without a central meeting place.

He said: “If we genuinely believe in localism and democracy we ought to respond positively to the overwhelming support of the majority of Blockley residents.”

Officers proposed an alternative site location near to Blockley Primary, but this was fiercely contested by BCA members and Cllr Dare as “wholly unsuitable”.

Headteacher Linda Jeffcutt said traffic for the shop would compromise the safety of children walking to and from the school.

Speaking after the decision she said: “It’s a huge relief that it is in the hub of the village and not affecting the safeguarding of our children.”

Following the passionate campaign, Cllr Sue Jepson proposed delegated approval of the application subject to change of materials.

Geoffrey Clinton Brown welcomed the approval saying: “The shop plays an enormous role in the local community. It is a wonderful example of the Big Society in action, and I have no doubt that the members of the Planning Committee were swayed by the enormous local support the shop has.”

Now the challenge is for villagers to raise money for the scheme, which is likely to cost several hundred thousand pounds.