A VACANT shop in Bourton is set to be converted into a café despite concerns the village is already over saturated with coffee shops and restaurants.

Cotswold District Council’s planning committee last week approved the application to convert the former bakers on Sherborne Street – which has been closed since May 2012 – to a café.

Speaking at the meeting, Bourton Parish Council chairman Bryan Sumner said the application had raise "quite a stir" in the village.

"Many people are quite upset about it," he said.

"We already have 27 outlets serving tea and coffee – we do not need any more."

Parish Councillor Juilan Stocker said villagers were concerned they had very few places to do everyday shopping.

"It really isn’t good enough for a village which is supposed to be a hub for the area," he said.

Simon Taylor, agent for applicants Arthur Samuels Properties Ltd, said the new café would "add to the vitality of the area".

Councillor Susan Coakley (Ind, Kempsford-Lechlade) said she sympathised with residents but shops would not stay open if villagers did not support them.

"If they support local shops they will be successful," she said.

The plans were approved by nine votes to two, with two abstentions.