Sprowston's Wroxham Road cafe plans prompt chain worries

The new coffee shop, which would open in the Astley and Co Estate Agents in Wroxham Road, is being opposed by Sprowston Town Council due to parking issues in the road.

In April a woman living nearby said she had become trapped in her home by dental patients parking in and around her driveway, while problem parkers shopping to use Tesco have prompted calls for double yellow lines on the road.

Parking and heavy traffic on Sprowston's Wroxham Road has caused a number of issues (Image: Newsquest)

But now Bill Couzens, chair of the town council, says the planning application for change of use to a cafe could open the door for a large coffee chain which could mean even worse traffic issues than an independent business.

He said: "What is worrying is that when someone gets permission for change of use, someone else can then move in and open a business of the same nature without needing to apply.

Sprowston Town Council boss Bill Couzens (Image: Sprowston Town Council)

"This would mean the current owner could sell up to someone like Costa and they could move in without challenge, and if that happened then the parking and traffic situation really would be a mess."

Mr Couzens said the council could not support the new business as it had to make the traffic situation on the road better and the arrival of the cafe would only make it worse.

He added: "It's very busy as it is, so can you imagine what it's going to be like when people go to the dentist and then see the cafe and stop in there for half an hour keeping a parking space for longer meaning more people are queuing up the road.

Plans for a new cafe in Wroxham Road have prompted heavy criticism (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: Norwich green belt call sparks debate

"It's a dangerous situation and we are working to make it better but we can't do that at the moment so it's important that we don't make the situation worse."

Sprowston already has Costa and Starbucks drive-throughs.

A response from the applicant said extra traffic currently at the site was due to tradespeople working on the coffee shop but did not make reference to existing parking issues.