A popular Suffolk farm shop situated near the A12 has been given permission to develop a 'drive-thru' cafe. 

East Suffolk Council has given the go-ahead for Friday Street Farm, between Aldeburgh and Saxmundham, to provide the café as part of plans to add a 'further income stream' to its existing business as a shop, café and pick-your-own fruit farm.

The cafe will be created in a mobile shipping container to provide takeaway hot and cold drinks and snacks.

A report prepared by planning officers proposed approving the plans and said the farm shop was far enough away from the nearest neighbour - at 75 metres - to not cause any effect through 'odours or noise'.

READ MORE: 'Drive-thru' café planned for Friday Street Farm in Suffolk

The report also stated the 'well-established' access would be sufficient to minimise any congestion issues.

As part of the plans, the existing car parking provision will be increased from approximately 24 to 56 spaces, with an additional nine spaces allocated for staff parking.

The report said: "As the design is acceptable, it would not harm the landscape and as noted above there is no significant impact on neighbour's amenity, the development is therefore considered to comply with the policies listed above."

READ MORE: Saxmundham news

East Anglian Daily Times: Friday Street Farm was set up in 1976Friday Street Farm was set up in 1976 (Image: Friday Street Farm)The shipping container will be sited on an area of open grassland next to an existing car park and an electric car charging facility.

The farm uses the area to provide overflow parking during peak periods.

READ MORE: Suffolk news

The business, which is also close to the A1094 Aldeburgh road, was established in 1976 and has grown to include a butchery, delicatessen, walk-in cheese room, a kitchen serving meals every day and a permanent on-site fishmonger.

In a design and access statement, the developer's architects Hollins Architects said: "The ‘drive-thru’ element will provide a further income stream to strengthen the overall viability of the
existing business and will create some modest additional employment opportunities for the local community."