PLANNING chiefs will decide whether to grant Stockton Heath restaurant Ego permission to construct a retractable roof labelled 'a monstrosity' after a site visit.
The matter came before the development control committee at the Town Hall last night, Wednesday, but no final decision was made.
The restaurant, on Walton Road, asked for permission to construct an 'awning' with sliding glass which, if given, would cover the outdoor seating area currently in place at its site.
Plans, which had 147 letters of support, were recommended for approval but following concerns from John Costello, owner of Costello's Bar, which is adjacent to Ego, councillors decided to defer a decision until after a site visit.
Mr Costello said: "There are a few issues – one is that we did not get any notification of this.
"We have a small business. I think this will impact on at least 10 per cent of my turnover.
"I have good natural lighting coming in now but that will disappear. If you have opaque plastic there you can't see through it.
"It is a monstrosity. Have a look at it, would you want that in front of your business?
"People coming to my bar want to see what is going on and see the hustle and bustle in Stockton Heath."
Councillors on the committee were given the chance to view illustrations of the proposal.
Cllr Les Morgan (LAB –Latchford West) said: "Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and a picture paints a thousand words, as they say."
Cllr Bob Barr (Lymm North and Thelwall) said he 'sympathised' with Mr Costello.
He added: "This does not strike me as just an awning, it strikes me as a large, permanent, fixed extension."
And Cllr Steve Wright (LAB – Bewsey and Whitecross) admitted he felt the proposed structure looked 'over-engineered'.
Mediterranean eaterie Ego believes the addition will not impact on 'natural light coming in' and said approval could create up to 12 jobs due to the 'increase' in business.
But question marks were raised over whether glass or plastic is going to be used for the structure.
As well as deferring the matter until a site visit takes place, the committee called for 'more clarification' over the material being used.
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