Appeal against Hungerford’s Charnham Park kebab van refusal
An appeal has been lodged against planners’ refusal to allow a new kebab van in Hungerford’s Charnham Park.
In February a planning officer’s report acknowledged: “The site is adjacent a business park and is situated some 100m east of the nearest dwellings and, as such, it is considered there are no neighbouring amenities of concern.”
Several residents had also objected, along with Hungerford Town Council’s environment and planning committee.
However, the same committee heard on Monday, May 13, that the applicant had lodged an appeal.
It is now proposed to site the van 50m further along the road near the Cygnet Way entrance.
Town mayor Helen Simpson said the new site would be “even worse”.
Councillor Jerry Keates pointed out that the Town and Manor of Hungerford’s new wetlands project was nearby and said: “We don’t want any disturbance to nesting birds.”
The committee agreed on a draft statement to send to His Majesty’s Planning Inspectorate ahead of the appeal.
It states, in part: “The move of the van does not change the obstruction of the highway.
“Charnham Park is a ‘rat run’ where traffic builds up on the A4 at the Bear Hotel roundabout.
“Hungerford Town Council is seeking the whole of Charnham Park road to be double yellow lined.
“Obstruction to the footpath with an open servery and customers queueing, will result in a reduced footpath and inconvenience to members of the public.”
Another factor was “antisocial behaviour, littering and illegal parking (potentially within Cygnet House and other nearby businesses in Swangate, Tealgate and Herongate).”
The draft statement added: “Oaklands School is the first building on the right in Tealgate.
“The van will be approximately 175m from the crossing point and the children, supervised, have to cross the road to the Herongate Club.
“As we are not certain where the van will park there is a possibility the van will ‘float’ to where the applicant would be happier to park.
“For this reason alone, the appeal should be denied.”
