PLANNING consent has been granted for new sewerage arrangements at the former Little Chef in Sawtry ahead of the building’s opening, scheduled for the next few months, as a sex shop.

Rotherham-based Cocktails Limited was granted a licence for the venture in December in spite of vocal protests from villagers.

The building, along with the nearby former Travelodge, has been unoccupied since the opening of the eight-lane A1(M) led to a huge drop in business from travellers on the old A1 past the village.

Travelodge Hotels, which owns the building, has successfully applied for Huntingdonshire District Council’s permission to install a new septic tank and soakaway for sewage discharge.