ROPOSALS for a new Spanish restaurant in Witham have been criticised for failing to provide facilities suitable for disabled people.

A planning application was submitted to Braintree Council last month to change 33 Newland Street, in Witham, from a shop to a restaurant and tapas bar.

The vacant site last housed the Let Them Eat Cake tearoom.

A post on the shop’s Facebook page said it would not reopen after Christmas because “it was just too stressful.”

A bid has now been submitted by an applicant and agent called El Pulpo.

It stated: “It is not possible due to the size and internal layout of the building to be able to install toilet facilities to the ground floor and the staircase is not wide enough to install a chair lift.

“The existing toilets and proposed new toilets are located on the first floor therefore some people may find it difficult to use the toilet facilities.”

Witham model and disability campaigner Chelsey Jay said, if approved, it would deny disabled people “a basic human right”.

Miss Jay, 25, of Magnolia Close, Witham, uses a wheelchair after being diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome in 2011.

She said: “The problem is that when there’s not the facilities there, it means disabled people can’t go. Going to the toilet is a basic human right. If you need to go, then you need to go.

“It’s sad as yet again it alienates disabled people and people with mobility problems. If all my friends asked me to go I would have to say no.

“It’s disappointing especially as they are going to be changing the layout anyway. There will be other alterations so it’s not good enough.”

The Disability and Discrimination Act 1995 says if a business provides toilets for non-disabled customers then they will also be expected to make a toilet available for disabled customers where reasonable.

The applicant was not available for comment.