A plan for a new fish and chip shop along a major road in Reading has been torpedoed due to the impact it could have on neighbours.
A businessman had submitted a plan to convert a retail unit at 39 Berkeley Avenue along the A4 into a fish and chip takeaway.
The property has a flat above it, and is situated within the same terrace as a Costcutter store, opposite the Asda Express Esso garage.
Although busy, the property is next to semi-detached and terraced homes in the Coley area.
The businessman wanted to convert the long-vacant unit into a takeaway open until 10pm each night.
However, the project was shot down by Reading Borough Council’s planning department, with concerns being raised about increased late-night activity and lack of parking.
The decision to refuse the plan states: “The proposed development, by reason of the nature of the takeaway use, including increased vehicle movements, comings and goings, and customers congregating, together with the hours of opening, would result in an increased level of disturbance to occupiers of neighbouring dwellings with consequent harm to their residential amenity.”
There were concerns that the addition of the takeaway would cause a cumulative disturbance, as the fuel station is open 24 hours a day, and the neighbouring Costcutter is open until 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 10pm the rest of the week.
Further, planning officer Marcie Rejwerska raised fears that the fish and chip shop would lead to the loss of parking space for the occupants of the first-floor flat.
The project was refused in March last year.
The applicant then submitted an appeal to the government’s planning inspectorate, arguing against the decision.
A planning agent from 1 Right Plan pointed out that the existing unit “represents a poor and useless appearance” to the street scene.
They also stated the fish and chip shop would provide a ‘regenerated frontage’ and a ‘vital use’ for the site, arguing there is a lack of takeaways in the immediate area.
However, the government-appointed planning inspector R Cahalane dismissed the appeal, agreeing that there is insufficient parking for a fish and chip takeaway and the flat above.
Although Inspector Cahalane ultimately ruled in the council’s favour, they did not agree with all of the reasons for refusal.
The inspector judged that the occupant of the flat would not be harmed by the increased activity due to the presence of Costcutter and the 24-hour fuel station.
Furthermore, Inspector Cahalane ruled that the council’s existing Local Plan does not restrict commercial developments such as new takeaways and stores outside of shopping and business areas if they are on a small scale.
The appeal was dismissed on January 15, with the result being featured in a report to the council’s planning applications committee on February 5.
You can view the refused application by typing reference PL/22/1769 into the council’s planning portal.
