Plans for new Black Pig café at farm in Heybridge

The Tallowin family who own Chigborough Farm in Heybridge have submitted a retrospective planning application to Maldon District Council.

The plans are for the change of use of an existing, and previously vacant, rural building on site to a restaurant and associated parking.

The Granary, the barn which is the subject of this application, was originally used as a smokehouse and deli in 2004.

In 2010 the barn became a farm deli, tea rooms and gift shop which closed down after a decade in 2020 due to Covid.

The smokery is now run by Lambton and Jackson in their new purpose built premises.

The Granary building therefore became vacant and Black Pig Catering moved onto the site earlier this year.

Black Pig Catering is an established catering company founded in 2015.

It has run a mobile catering service for events for a number of years and has now set up in the barn as a farm café.

No changes are proposed to the outside of the building.

Inside the building would provide a kitchen area, covers for 40 diners, a disabled toilet and a unisex toilet.

Visitors would use an existing parking area and a further 23 parking spaces on site are allocated to the proposed change of use within the application.

A planning statement adds the site is sustainable and it would support the economy in the area as well as the rural business.

It states: "This proposal is for a new restaurant as a diversification proposal for the landowners which would make efficient use of an existing rural building whilst making a positive contribution to the local economy.

"The location of the site, within such close proximity to a number of caravan and holiday parks and with links to the many leisure activities already available, is a sustainable and appropriate location for the restaurant."

Chigborough Farm has another established and successful restaurant on site, Rubino Kitchen, which was awarded the Michelin Plate award for good cooking.