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Hundreds back 'characterless' village shop

Amanda White
BBC News
BBC A man wearing a blue shirt and dark trousers walks up a concrete wheelchair-accessible ramp to the large black-framed glass doorway of a village shop. The brick building is painted light-grey and black. Signs advertise a Post Office, the National Lottery and ice creams. A man stands to the left wearing a blue jacket.BBC
East Riding of Yorkshire Council says the new look of the store harms the "character" of Roos conservation area

Hundreds of people have backed a village shop after the owners were ordered to remove a new wheelchair-accessible doorway.

Kenga and Ajantha Kokulakumar failed to seek planning permission for the work at the store and post office in Roos, East Yorkshire.

Officers from East Riding of Yorkshire Council argued the alterations created a "characterless frontage" and harmed the appearance of the surrounding conservation area.

More than 400 people have signed a petition urging the authority to allow the door to remain in place after the Kokulakumars said reversing the changes would be financially ruinous.

A woman with dark hair, tied back, is wearing a yellow sari and a beaded necklace as she stands in a street outside a brick building. Cars are parked to the right and houses can be seen in the background.
Ajantha Kokulakumar says she regrets misunderstanding the planning rules

The Kokulakumars took over store in July 2024 and closed it for two months to carry out renovations.

They boarded up the original doorway and knocked out a window to install a larger entrance, wheelchair ramp and security shutter.

When they reopened in September, they received a letter from the council ordering them to submit a retrospective planning application – which was later refused.

The couple appealed, but this was turned down by the planning inspectorate earlier this month.

Google A village shop in a cottage-style brick building, the exterior painted cream and black. A red post box stands outside. Signs advertise "Roos Village Store" and "Post Office".Google
How the shop looked in 2021, before the changes

Mrs Kokulakumar said she was worried about what might happen next. But she added: "Most of the customers are supporting us. We are right to help the older people – that's why we have done this."

She admitted they made a mistake by not seeking permission, but said they made the changes for the benefit of the community.

Removing the new door and reinstating the old one would force them to move their service counter and rearrange and refit the entire store.

Phillip Coffin, who lives in the village, said he thought the door should remain in place because it was "particularly good for disabled access".

A man with short light hair and black-framed glasses wears a blue-cheque shirt as he stands in front of a village shop and adjoining house.
Phillip Coffin thinks a fake door would help the building retain its character

He suggested an artificial door could be used in place of the old boarded-up one.

Fellow resident Ron Symes criticised the council's decision and added: "What's wrong with it? It's ideal for wheelchairs."

In a statement, the council said the store played "a central role within the conservation area", but the works were "overtly modern".

The use of "unsympathetic materials" had created "a prominent, unfamiliar and incongruous addition" to the building.

However, the council said it would "be looking to work proactively with the applicant to address the unauthorised development and try to overcome the concerns raised".

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