Green light for garden centre's riverside cafe

A Herefordshire garden centre can now install a riverside cafe after being granted planning permission.

Arrow Mills in Island Terrace, Kington, adjoins the River Arrow and applied to build a cafe, replacing a "falling down" chicken shed on an islet in the river.

The 100-year-old timber-framed cafe will open up new areas to customers while being wheelchair-accessible and including a disabled toilet and baby-changing facilities, the centre said.

Herefordshire Council officers objected over changes to the local landscape and concerns about the conservation area, but Kington Town Council considered it would be "an asset to the town" and residents were supportive.

The centre installed a shop and car park in 2019 and the cafe will be open alongside the business.

The firm's director Simon Turner said: "We are now hoping to break ground over the summer.

"It's a beautiful spot and we think people will really like sitting out in it."

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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