A CAFÉ, offices and a large car park can now be created in a vacant haulage yard next to the railway station in Gillingham after plans were approved.
Dorset Council approved the plans this week which would change the use of the former Roses and Sons yard at Station Road.
The plans seek to create offices and a café delicatessen on the ground floor of the former meat processing building as well as a 82 capacity car park complete with 12 electric vehicle charging points.
The applicant said the café would provide a welcoming shelter for users of the Station Road Transport Hub, something they said the station currently lacks.
Gillingham Town Council previously backed the plans, stating they would welcome it as a “positive contribution” to the regeneration of the Station Road area and the wider town centre.
National Rail also backed the plans as they said the regeneration “will also aid local regeneration and will help to develop a more comprehensive station area, providing improved access to the station”.
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They said they would welcome a discussion with the applicant over how the car park is proposed to be managed given it is not owned by the railway.
An aerial view of the site Picture: Proctor Watts Cole Rutter
They added: “We wish to ensure that, should this be a paid car park, users are charged reasonable fares and are not forced to park elsewhere as a result, if the existing station car park is full.
“Additionally, we will need to discuss overall responsibility regarding the car park and its interaction with the existing car park and station. The additional facility in the form of a café would also be welcome to benefit passengers.”
As part of the planning decision notice, the applicant is required to submit a planning application concerning the installation of CCTV within three months of the approval notice to ensure public safety, prevent anti-social behaviour and avoid nuisance to adjoining properties..
Opinions were split when your New Blackmore Vale covered the plans in September.
While many praised the regeneration of the site, others suggested the town did not need another cafe and that a car park of that size would not be needed.
But others strongly disagreed, saying additional parking near the train station is a must.
One reader, Gem, said: “Anyone who uses the train station for commuting will know how busy the car park gets. It always feels like a forgotten bit of town.
“With potential offices as well that might bring business to the planned cafe and the existing cafe near there. Sounds like a win, win to me.”
To view the decision notice in full, visit the planning section of Dorset Council’s website and search reference P/FUL/2025/05075.
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I think that you guys are a bit behind the times here. The site is already up and running on the cra parking side and has been for at least a couple of weeks now