Restaurant comes under criticism

Hayes Barn near Oswestry has expanded its bed and breakfast offer to include themed evenings and a street food style restaurant as well as Sunday lunch and afternoon tea.

Oswestry Town Council has objected to the granting of planning permission, voicing concerns over possible pollution and traffic dangers.

At its recent planning committee the council agreed to write to Shropshire Council with its objections and calling for the application to be heard by councillors and not decided by planning officers.

Councillor Rebecca Evans said: "This should be looked at as a retrospective planning application. The restaurant has been open for about eight months."

Councillors said that the entrance to the property was on a fast road.

Sophie Dillon, the owner of Hayes Barn, said that Shropshire Council was allowing the restaurant to open while the planning application was pending.

"We are in contact with planning officers," she said.

"I have invited councillors to come up and see my business. We are offering a top-end, up-market restaurant for the area."