A CAFÉ in a Teignbridge village is set to expand and offer its customers hot food and a space to enjoy it as its application to planners is given the green-light.

At present, Teign Bean occupy a part of Seaton House in Exminster, with the remainder of the building sitting empty.

However, the family-run, barista coffee business was looking to expand, submitting an application to Teignbridge District Council (TDC) to convert the former dental clinic adjacent to its premises.

The application - reference 25/01772/FUL - sought change-of-use permission to allow for hot food to eat in or takeaway.

And TDC have granted planning permission.

‘The development hereby permitted shall begin before the expiry of three years from the date of this permission’, the council said in its decision notice, published on February 23.

The new premises would be used as additional seating for the café.

Crucially, the plan is to offer food in the late afternoon and evening, the planning statement for 25/01772/FUL says.

‘The location is highly sustainable for a business use, being located centrally in the village and only 50 metres from the nearest bus stop on Main Road’, the statement says.

‘There is no similar business in Exminster so it will serve a local need as well as an established client base.

‘The use of these premises will give a positive use to a currently empty building’, the statement adds.

An independent takeaway barista coffee business, Teign Bean launched in January 2019.

Since its launch, Teign Bean boast five sites across Devon, including Teignmouth, Mamhead, Exminster, Starcross and Dawlish Warren.