Support is pouring in for the return of what supporters have hailed as one of the country’s “most iconic cafes”.
Hartside Pass Cafe burned down six years ago but now fresh plans for a new cafe on the site have been lodged with Westmorland and Furness Council.
If planning permission is granted, there are hopes that a “modern, purpose-built high quality replacement” could be open by June.
The applicants are longstanding cafe directors Dawn, Rudy and Thomas Dixon, who have urged supporters to write in to planners.
Backing has already come in locally and from further afield, including Lancashire, Longtown, Barrow-in-Furness; West Cumbria; Northumberland, County Durham and North Yorkshire.
The former cafe was a popular draw with motorcyclists, day-trippers and cyclists.
Near neighbour Joanne Blackford has told planners that talk of a new cafe was “music to our ears”.
She said: “It’s such a beautiful spot overlooking the Pennines, an area of outstanding natural beauty. We are keen motorcycle riders and to have a meeting point at the peak of such a monumental road would be ideal.”
Laura Seaton, of Nenthead, added: “I completely support this project and application. There has been a hole in the landscape since the original cafe burnt down and to see a new one in its place would be great.” Janet Telfer, of Alston, said it would attract local people and visitors and the benefit was there were no nearby houses to disturb residents.
And Sean Robinson, of Kirkby Stephen, said: “Alston is struggling so much and could really do with visitors up there spending their money.
“The views from this site are some of the best there are. Just get it approved and built before we are all in a graveyard!”
Robert Grant, of Brampton, added: “After the demise of the old cafe, it has been a great loss for all sorts of people – cyclists, walkers, bikers, car enthusiasts and just motorists out to enjoy the views. The cafe on top of Hartside was a destination and hopefully will become so again.”
Mark Clamp, of Skelton, added: “Replacing the cafe that was lost would be a great boon to tourism in the area and provide employment for local people.”
Robert Ostle, of Cliburn, added: “Not only is this place a huge tourist attraction it also encourages tourism to our local towns and villages en route to the famous cafe which is a great thing for the local economy.”
Sandra Wood, of Kendal, said: “Support the application. It’s a much needed facility for locals and tourists.”
Karl Irwin, of Prudholme, said: “I live in Northumberland but I’m also a rate payer in the Eden Valley. I regularly use Hartside as it’s an iconic and beautiful road between my two properties.”
The applicants are represented by Kingmoor Consulting, Carlisle. The site, in the North Pennines area of outstanding natural beauty, is mostly former brownfield land.
A request has been made that an existing cesspool is unsuitable for a commercial business.
A spokesman for Kingmoor said Hartside Cafe began life in 1910 as a transport cafe for lorries before becoming the Helm Wind Cafe in 1934 and then the Summit Cafe in 1957.
It was rebuilt from wood to stone in 1962 and remodelled again in 1972.
The site is within the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the second largest of the 40 AONBs in England and Wales, which share the same levels of legal protection from development as a national park.
A spokesman for the North Pennines National Landscapes project said it was considering the application and, as a consultee, would provide its view in due course.
The application number is 2023/1182/FPA.
