NIMBYs at war: Newtown locals divided over new café thats been allowed to open in trendy park

A local council has given a Mexican restaurant the green flag to build a new café on public parkland despite fierce opposition from residents. 

Comedor in Sydneys inner-west has been approved to construct a deck and takeaway café in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park in Newtown.

The plan was passed by nine to five votes despite 70 per cent of resident feedback being opposed to the commercialisation of public parkland. 

The Inner West Council granted Comedor a five-year lease with no approval of tables and chairs and on the condition the deck is reduced. 

The approval comes despite an online survey of residents conducted by council receiving 315 thumbs-down pins and 123 hearts. 

One resident said the decision to press on despite fierce opposition from locals was baffling, a sentiment echoed by regular park user Pip Hinman.

You need to listen to the community and just stop, not listen to the community and go ahead, Pip Hinman told the ABC. 

In July, Comedor was approved to build a deck and café with space for five tables and chairs before construction had to be halted over noise concerns.

Sydneys Inner West Council has approved Comedor to build a deck and café in Camperdown Memorial Rest Park in Newtown (pictured, the building site)

Comedor has reduced the size of the deck (pictured) following backlash from locals

In August, Comedor said it respected the community consultation process and wanted to work with the council to find a way forward. 

We are so proud of the overwhelming support from our guests who have visited us since we opened, and we look forward to continuing to welcome you into our restaurant on Australia Street, the post on Instagram read.

The restaurant will now serve food and drinks from a rear window from 7am to 6pm seven days a week and close at 8pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. 

Labor Councillor Chloe Smith admitted it had been an oversight to approve the deck without public consultation in July but defended the new agreement.

This agreement will provide park users with direct access to one of Sydneys best restaurants, meaning they can enjoy a coffee or snack while watching their kids at the nearby playground or walking the dog, she said.

Comedor (pictured) will transform a section of public parkland into a café under a new lease

Locals were divided after the restaurant announced plans to build a deck (pictured)

Newtown estate agent Charles Bailey fronted the council meeting on behalf of Comedor owner Walter Shellshear, who was interstate.

He defended the venue as a bona fide addition to the public park, adding it employs 20 people and provides business to local suppliers.

Deck designer Philip Bull said the café added to a poorly-used part of the park.

Civilised societies have cafes in parks, he said.

It is a common thing, it is not unusual. It will not be the death of this park.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Comedor and the Inner West Council.