A BID to change a sandwich shop into a cafe has led to neighbours making claims about foul language, nasty smells and rats.
But the owner of Evenwood Cafe, at The Centre, has denied there are problems.
He said the windows have been closed since October following complaints and council officers were happy with the ventilation system. Any rats were not coming from the cafe, he added.
A planning application has been submitted for permission for a change of use from A1 class to A3/A5 class. It would mean the business, which was a sandwich shop and catering venture supplying food for consumption off the premises, can be allowed to continue operating as a cafe that also offers hot and cold takeaway food. The premises became a cafe last summer but under planning rules applicants can apply for retrospective permission.
Dave Heathfield and Carol Eglin, who live at the rear, attended this month’s Evenwood parish council meeting to ask for the support of members in opposing the plan.
Mr Heathfield said food waste and litter dropped by customers was leading to a surge in the rat population.
“The young lady who lives in the flat has desperate problems. They’re coming from the cellar,” he said.
He added: “The cafe did not have planning permission and it was operating for months. We notified the county council. When it was open in the summer, the windows were open and the smell was horrendous and so was the noise – we couldn’t sit outside or put our washing outside. It’s a greasy spoon – there’s nothing wrong with that – but the language from tradesmen is f-ing and blinding. The proprietor shouts at the kids. We had guests round and he shouted [obscenities] at the top of his voice.”
In response to the allegations, the premises owner, who asked not to be named, said it was unfair to blame the cafe about any problem with rats.
“I’ve looked in the cellar and there aren’t any rats. I’d invite anyone to see for themselves,” said the owner, who rents out the unit. “It has been a food outlet for 40 years – it’s been a butchers, catering business and sandwich shop. People who move in next door should know what to expect.”
He said any problem with noise or smell would have been addressed by shutting the windows.
He added: “Durham County Council has checked the ventilation and they have no issues. It’s adequate. We want to work with those residents.”
Evenwood Parish Council said it would “stay neutral” on the application.
However, parish clerk Martin Clark suggested a better ventilation system and the windows being closed in the summer would be a way forward. Parish chairwoman Cllr Barbara Nicholson, who lives nearby, said she had not seen rats in the area.
