A planning application to convert a vacant retail unit in Parsons Avenue into an Indian takeaway looks set to be given the green light by South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) at a planning committee meeting later this week.
Owned by Merlin Housing Society and formerly trading as the ‘Just Dogs’ grooming parlour, the unit has been empty since 28th February 2011. It stands in a block of two units, the other being occupied by Shipway Gents’ Barbers.
The applicant, Mr M.A. Islam of Brislington, is seeking permission to trade between the hours of 5pm and 10pm, seven days a week (including bank holidays).
Stoke Gifford Parish Council lodged an objection to the proposal on 2nd March, citing fears of “[the] impact on neighbouring residents, lack of parking and general traffic congestion, increased litter and smells”.
A total of 26 letters of objection were received from local residents, countered by two letters of support.
Councillors on SGC’s Development Control (West) Sites Inspection Sub-Committee visited the site on 13th April and subsequently asked the Council’s officers to prepare reports on the history of previous planning applications, highways issues, odour control and the possibility of imposing a condition requiring the installation of CCTV.
A report published ahead of a committee meeting this Thursday (24th May), reveals that the Council’s Transportation Officer has raised no objections to the proposals and the Council’s Environmental Protection Officer has examined the details of the proposed extraction system and raised no objection in terms of noise or smells.
The report goes on to recommend that planning permission be granted, subject to a number of conditions that include a requirement that “[the] proposed odour extraction system be built in accordance with the [supplied] specifications”.
A request from the Police Crime Prevention Design Advisor for South Gloucestershire that a condition be imposed requiring the installation of a CCTV system has been rejected as being “unreasonable” because there is no evidence that “the proposed development will result in an increase of crime and anti-social behaviour or is even likely to”.
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Minutes of the 24th May meeting published today show that planning permission for the Indian takeaway was granted by a narrow margin.
Minutes record 7 “for”, 7 “against”, which looks like a typo. Probably 7:6 as committee has only 13 members!.
http://council.southglos.gov.uk/mgConvert2PDF.aspx?ID=27907
Item 13 refers.
Some interesting comments about this issue were made at the Annual Public Meeting of Stoke Gifford Parish Council on Tuesday 19th June:
“A number of residents were in attendance to express their concerns at the recent planning consent for an Indian takeaway in Parsons Avenue. Norman Alford (resident) expressed strong concerns regarding the decision to approve the application itself. It was also felt that the unfair comments made when summing up by the Chair of the South Gloucestershire DC West Committee could be challenged as inappropriate and not correct procedure. It was also highlighted that Cllr Trevor Jones had supported the application despite being a Parish Councillor.”
Read more: Minutes of SGPC Annual Public Meeting 2012