Tadley takeaway gets green light despite hundreds objecting

A planning application to change the use of a former florists, to a hot food takeaway and shop, at Emit House, 28 Franklin Avenue, was approved by borough councillors in Basingstoke last Wednesday evening, despite 52 letters of objection and a 190-signature petition.
The application, which also received 13 letters of support, was approved in line with planning officers’ recommendations.
One of the objectors, Stuart Morgan, who has lived in Tadley for 35 years, said that he was planning to live in one of three flats above the shop, which had previously been occupied by his late father for 12 years.
Mr Morgan said that the takeaway had previously been refused permission owing to concerns with regard to odour, noise and parking in Franklin Avenue, a long road with a mix of houses, shops and businesses.
He said that the takeaway’s extractor fan would puff out cooking odours just three metres from the front doors and windows of those living in the flats.
“The balcony would become a loss of amenity, residents would be unable to open their windows and doors. It will cause huge stress to those who live there,” said Mr Morgan.
Further worries outlined in letters of objection and the petition, included those of fire risk to properties above, noise, large groups milling around, anti-social behaviour, increase in rats, the devaluation of nearby house prices, and that there were already three food outlets in same area and it would be economically unviable for another one, litter and traffic congestion.
Letters of support highlighted that facilities in Tadley would be enhanced, that the applicant owned another successful (unspecified) local business and that his new venture was therefore also likely to succeed.
The applicant, named as a Mr D Ali in meeting papers, did not speak at, or send any representation to the meeting.
Borough councillor for Baughurst and Tadley North, Graham Round (Con) raised concerns about Tadley’s empty retail outlets, pointing out that premises occupied by a neighbouring dental surgery had been converted from retail use.
Mr Round said that the take- away’s opening hours were restricted to evenings, from 5pm to 11pm Monday to Saturday, and 5pm to 10.30pm Sundays and bank holiday, and that parking outside the premises would not prove an issue during these times.
“When we walk, or drive past [in the evening], there are empty spaces,” said Mr Round, adding that the proposed extractor unit was expensive and of a high standard.
According to meeting papers, there were seven unallocated parking spaces were available at the front of the premises, while a further 14 spaces at the rear were allocated to residents of the flats and four neighbouring businesses, including the takeaway.
Planning committee chairman, Horace Mitchell, said that additional planning consent would be needed to extend the takeaway’s opening hours, to lunchtimes, for instance.