PLANS to reopen a popular Teignmouth cafe which was destroyed by fire have taken a step forward as councillors unanimously approved an application for new windows and roof panels.

Teignbridge Council’s planning committee gave its full backing to the repair plans for the Beachcomber which has been shut since fire ripped through the seafront building in July.

Committee members said they were keen to see cafe, which was built about 50 years ago, open as soon as possible.

The blaze destroyed the kitchen, takeaway and service areas and the rest of the building, which is owned by Teignbridge Council, was badly damage by smoke and water.

Reconstruction plans were delayed when the building was found to contain asbestos which was damaged in the fire and required specialist removal.

Cllr Ros Prowse, recommending approval, said: ‘It feels to me that the many people I have spoken to in Teignmouth that they would be delighted to see the Beachcomber up and running for this summer.

‘It has been a great loss to the seafront so this is excellent news and I think that we should approve it as set out in the report.’

Cllr Chris Clarance added: ‘The sooner, the better that this is up-and-running, and approving this today will hopefully help this happen.’

Teignbridge Council now hopes the cafe will reopen in May.

The application is for replacement windows, aluminium roof panels and alterations to the fenestration.

It said: ‘The proposed works have been developed to ensure the New appearance is in keeping with the aspirations of the conservation area and have been designed to provide a fresh contemporary arrangement in sympathy with the general street scene.’

The current owners, who have run the cafe for the last 10 years, had expressed frustration at the length of time the repairs were taking.

In a post on social media, they said it had been ‘the most laborious, slow and painful months we have ever endured in business’.

It continued: ‘All parties have agreed that May 2018 is the target date to fully re-open for business to serve customers with all works completed.

‘We are so frustrated with bureaucracy when all we want to do is re-open our little business enabling us to serve our customers, employ staff, purchase stock from local businesses, support local charities and therefore keeping our contribution to the local economy rolling.’