REDBOURNBURY Mill will be transforming its traditional tea-rooms into an artisan bakery and working museum for school visits and in-house bakery courses.

Last used for milling in the 1950s, the Grade II Listed building lies beside the River Ver within Redbourn's Green Belt. The plans include converting the redundant cart shed and stores into a bakery and building 12 new car parking spaces.

Speaking on behalf of the applicant on Monday night, Mr James said the historic mill had been lovingly restored over the years and envisaged it being converted into working water mill and bakery, producing flour and bread.

The application, which was approved by St Albans District Council's Plans north committee, replaces a previous one for a tearoom and work shed that was withdrawn in April.

Councillor Michael Waddilove said: "It's a very appropriate use of those buildings, it seems to be a very good compromise that we have come to. I might even pop in there and get myself some bread."

Hertfordshire Highways argued that Redbournbury Lane was a narrow stretch of road with limited room for motorists to pass each other and advised councillors to refuse the application.

However, they felt that their concerns would be addressed if the applicant entered into a Section 106 Agreement and made a £10,000 contribution to provide passing places along the lanes.

A number of the councillors argued that the Section 106 Agreement was unnecessary, claiming that there would be less traffic as there would be no more "cream tea customers" travelling to the site.

Plans north chair, Councillor Keith Stammers said: "I can't resist saying this, but I'm surprised that Hertfordshire Highways even found the lane."

Hertfordshire Biological Records Centre claimed there could be bats roosting in the outbuildings and recommended that a specialist bat worker carried out an assessment of the buildings before any building work started.

The council's planning officer said the form, bulk, design and layout of the proposal were in keeping with the setting of the Grade II mill and would not cause demonstrable harm to the character and openness of the Green Belt.

He said: "The proposal is considered as a positive contribution to the locality through the regeneration of the historic watermill building in an educational and cultural sense."

4:15pm Friday 22nd July 2005

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