A new state of the art cafe will be built on the site of a former public toilet block after plans were approved. 

The proposed two-storey development on North Road, Durham will see a new glazed first floor extension built at the 1960s toilet block. 

It is hoped the new cafe will attract passing trade from university students in nearby accommodation as well as other visitors to the town. 

A proposal to convert the toilet block into a cafe was previously approved by planning officers at Durham County Council, but now the applicant, named as McCarrick Construction, has received additional approval for the glazed first floor extension. 

The original approval detailed plans for a roof terrace for external seating with a glass fence, however they were changed for safety reasons. Now, more details have been revealed about how the new site could look. 

The Northern Echo: It is hoped the new cafe will attract passing trade from university studentsIt is hoped the new cafe will attract passing trade from university students (Image: The Northern Echo)

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McCarrick Construction said: “Upon further consideration the building would be more usable and have a more uniformed appearance with a full glass enclosure on the first floor. This would allow the building to be used in all weather and take away any safety concerns due to slipping.

“A more uniformed appearance would improve the street scene whilst also providing a much better all year round facility for the public.”

The applicant says inspiration for the cafe’s design was taken from modernist art. The proposal also received the backing of the City of Durham Parish Council, which said it “loved” the scheme.