PLANS have been submitted to Cheshire East Council seeking permission to change the use of Bradwall Village Hall for a bakery and café.

The application is part retrospective and the bakery and ancillary retail sales already operate from the building on Bradwall Road near Sandbach.

Work on the proposed café, which also includes an outdoor seating area, has not yet started.

A planning statement submitted by Emery Planning states: “The hall is currently in a mixed use.

“The main function room remains on a five-year term lease with a six-month notice period to Foden’s Brass Band. No notice has been served to date.

“The meeting room is made available for use by the parish council and other groups as required and this would continue to remain the case as a result of the proposals.

“The kitchen is now used as a bakery operated by Bradwall Bakehouse.”

The hall was originally a focal point for the village and the surrounding farming community but over recent decades has become less used.

The Trustees of the Village Hall decided to decided close it in March 2020 and surrendered the lease in June 2021.

The building was bought in 2021.

The planning statement says: “Retail sales take place in the foyer area of the building, between the main hall area and the bakery to the rear of the building.

“Products sold relate to bread and home baking.

“The remainder of the hall is to be converted into a café.

“This space can be made available upon request to persons wishing to utilise the space, for example the parish council to hold their meetings.

“Given the café will not be operating in the evening, the hall will offer dual purpose in this regard. Baking courses will also be held in this area.”

The application, number 24/1189C, can be viewed on the planning portal on Cheshire East Council’s website.

The closing date for comments is May 1 and the application is due to be determined by a planning officer under delegated authority.