Plans to expand a cafe next to St John's Church in Glastonbury have been given the green light by Mendip District Council.

Two planning applications had been submitted by the Rev D MacGeoch for 3 Church Lane, Glastonbury - one for the change of use for the first floor from church hall/meeting area to expanded cafe area, and one for internal alteration and refurbishment works (all floors), to improve the public entrance, toilet facilities and fire protection.

The application sought to carry out a series of internal alteration and refurbishment works to improve the economic viability, functionality and practicality of the ground floor café, that operated as the Bay Tree Coffee Shop, through replacement of its modern internal entrance lobby, improvement and upgrade of the modern toilet facilities to meet both current needs and standards, and enhance the fire protection/separation between the retained ground and first floor areas and their respective uses.

The change of use was to enable the first floor to function in conjunction with the existing café use on the ground floor.

Following the successful re-ordering of the neighbouring St John's Church completed in early 2020, combined with the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the parochial church council have been able to reflect and review their operations, and say they are now able to maintain the hall/meeting room function within the church building itself and therefore allow the whole of 3 Church Lane to function as a café, subject to being able to carry out sympathetic and appropriate alterations.

Glastonbury Town Council's planning committee unanimously agreed to support the plans, and Mendip agreed, approving both applications.

Planning applications in the Glastonbury area that have been submitted to Mendip District Council this week include:

Works to trees in a Conservation Area: T1 and T2 - elm - fell ,T3 and T4 - sycamore - fell at Gorsedd, Coursing Batch, Glastonbury, are wanted by Mr Simon O'Neill.

Demolish garage and utility area and erect single storey side extension at 9 Austin Road, Glastonbury, has been applied for by Debbie Showmark.

Planning applications in the Glastonbury area that have been decided by Mendip District Council this week include:

Retention of agricultural storage building and extension on north elevation (retrospective) on land at Turbary East Drove, Sharpham, by Mr Shaun Hennessy has been approved.

Prior approval for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to a dwellinghouse (Class C3) on land at Martin Street, near Baltonsborough, by Mr T Mounter has been granted.