A PROJECT to transform part of a Hampshire beauty spot into a cafe suffered a set-back as councillors raised concerns about security, viability and costs.

Plans for the Handlebar Cafe which will be built on the Viaduct Way between Garnier Road and St Catherine’s Hill in Winchester were approved by the South Downs National Park Authority.

However the next stage for the project created by youngsters requires funding, and making a case for the cafe to councillors on the Winchester Town Forum, co-director of SPUD Group Mark Drury gave a presentation outlining the proposals.

He said he hopes the cafe will be built by August 2017 and the total cost of the scheme will be £334,719.

He was pitching for £50,000 from Winchester City Council and a further £25,000 from the town forum he said he is also in talks with the South Downs National Park Authority, Hampshire County Council and local crowdfunding to raise money.

Mr Drury said: “It is a huge amount of money but given the nature of what we are trying to provide in the location we are in it is a very reasonable sum, and given we are a charity we are trying to get those costs down and make savings without affecting the overall quality.”

“The project ticks so many boxes it is out of the city it is in a new cycling route it links with the park and ride and cycling is really growing in Winchester and it is not just about cycling it is about all sorts of user groups.”

If the project is successful, the cafe will be run by Bespoke Biking, which will provide bike repairs, riding events as well as a cafe where people can enjoy a coffee while overlooking one of Winchester’s more scenic areas.

Councillors on the forum however highlighted concerns about parking at the location, security and raised fears of what will happen if the cafe is not a success, although each councillor who spoke supported the idea of the cafe.

Cllr Eileen Berry said: “The reason you are doing this for cyclists is wonderful but you do need to make a profit and it could fall down easily.”

“It is wonderful but it all stands on success and how successful you are. Your security is also paramount because of the awful people that would be drawn to that place because of its isolation.”

Cllr Liz Hutchinson added: “There have been so many projects like this that have failed.”

Meanwhile Cllr Kelsie Learney said: “I am very enthusiastic about this proposal of a cafe, it is a really good idea I think the problem is if you are not interested in a cafe you are investing in a remote building with little car parking, however I do want to see this go forward.”

Cllr Ian Tait wholeheartedly supported the scheme, citing that a kebab van in that area has been successful.

Cllr Tait He said: “I think we would found that it would work as a cafe, I think to have an exciting project, I have followed this project with interest and I fully endorse it.”

The town forum agreed the Spud Group should come back with more information about its business plan, but they support it.