Farm owners say expansion plan will be a boost to the local area

THE owners of a Staffordshire Moorlands farm hope plans for a new cafe will help make the countryside more accessible for carers and those with special needs.

Michelle Medgyesy and Yvette Tatler plan to knock down an old cycle hire building at Brown End Farm in Waterhouses and replace it with a new cafe and shop, as well as improved cycle hire faciltiies.

The farm sits at one end of the popular Manifold Trail Michelle and Yvette, who took over the business in February 2018, believe the cafe will help more people enjoy the countryside – while the shop is set to sell a range of local produce and craft items.

The pair, who both have a background working in care, also want to provide a place for older people and those with disabilities to enjoy the beauty of the countryside and build on the cycle hire business set up by the previous owners.

They hope the new cafe will both offer walkers and cyclists more choice, along with existing businesses in the area, and provide somewhere for people to relax while relatives and younger children enjoy the trail.

Michelle said: “We want to demolish the‘ shanty town’ looking existing building.

“At the moment we have a tuck shop but people have to eat and drink what they buy as they go. People like somewhere comfortable to sit.

“It will also give older people somewhere to sit while children go out on the trail.

“There will also be new jobs available.”

Some people have objected to the application, citing concerns about more people parking on the road, but Michelle and Yvette say they have free parking on the site for people hiring bicycles.

Planning officers hope to make a decision on the application by March 4.