Coffee trailer beside popular cycle path granted temporary approval

Twm Owen – Local democracy reporter 

A coffee trailer alongside a cycle path will be allowed a “trial run” after receiving 31 letters of support and just one objection.

The Coffee Carriage will also serve as a “hydration station” for dogs and offer treats for pets from an informal parking area, already used by a number of businesses, and accessed from Church Road in Talywain, Pontypool and adjacent to the former railway line that now forms part of a national cycle path.

A neighbour whose home and back garden overlooks the site had objected and said they were concerned a food and drink business would make existing problems with rats in the area worse and lead to more people gathering near their garden.

They stated: “I am concerned that the coffee trailer will create further noise, cooking smells, and attract more visitors, including bikers who already gather in the area most weekends.”

The objector also said they experience “significant disruption” due to “constantly” barking dogs, from a kennels and dog day care business already operated by applicant Brooke Davies, and her mother Kathryn, as well as a factory.

Torfaen Borough Council planning officer Huw Roberts said in his report, which approved the application, the concerns had been “noted” but said the application could be considered “acceptable” with conditions including a temporary permission.

Mr Roberts said: “It is considered necessary and reasonable to grant a temporary three-year permission to monitor the impact of the proposal (i.e. a trial run).”

In line with the condition the use will have to be discontinued, and the trailer removed, and the land restored to its former condition by September 3, 2029 while other conditions include limiting the opening hours to those suggested by Ms Davies.

The trailer won’t open before 9am and will close by 3pm Monday to Friday and at 4pm on Saturdays and 2pm on Sundays.

Any plans to use outside seating will also have to be approved in writing by the council and Ms Davies will also have to provide details on how rubbish will be stored, collected and recycled before the business opens.

It was noted there were no highways objections to a recently approved application to use part of the same site for storage.

Mr Roberts’ report also stated the application could be approved due to its “small scale” and the intention to serve users of the path and existing businesses.

In considering planning policies that new food and drink businesses should be located in town centres the application could be approved as there was “no evidence to suggest that the proposal would harm the overall vitality and viability of Blaenavon or Pontypool town centre”.

A previous application for burger van at the same site, which was refused in 2022, hadn’t stated which customers it would be targeting or set out proposed opening hours.

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