Fresh plans lodged for unauthorised Highland cafe at centre of row
New plans have been submitted in a bid to allow a Nairn café at the centre of a row to carry on serving its German produce.
Andreas and Anika Schulz opened Café Lavender during the summer in the grounds of their guest house, Cawdor House, in Cawdor Street.
Although it proved popular with customers – including Russian-American oil billionaire Eugene Shvidler, a friend of Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich – it did not have permission.
A retrospective planning application for a café, bakery and takeaway subsequently ran into fierce opposition from nearby residents citing cooking smells, parking problems, noise and loss of privacy, plus a significant change of use.
Mr and Mrs Schulz, whose online petition to remain open was signed by hundreds, have now lodged a new application with Highland Council, stating it takes residents’ concerns into account.
The proposal seeks to turn two rooms in the guest house into a café.
It stated no hot food takeaway facility is proposed and the outdoor seating area has been reduced.
There will be a restricted menu serving mainly homemade cakes, bread and pastries while hot food is limited to soup, grilled food and a limited range of German produce which requires only reheating.
A design statement submitted with the application states: "The applicants are keen to promote their German heritage which is represented in their cakes and pastries and bread.
"No alterations are proposed as it is the existing guest house areas that are to provide the shared use."
The report added that on-street parking is available close by, and public car parks are only a short distance away.
It added: "The café is aimed at a local market and the requirement for parking is limited.
"Nevertheless, there are ample options for parking if required."
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