By Maria Zaccaro, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a new takeaway in Portswood have been approved.
Rio’s Piri Piri is set to open a new branch at the site once occupied by October Books bookshop.
The move is expected to result in 12 new jobs.
Some residents raised concerns over the number of takeaways in the area, but the plans were approved by city councillors.
At the meeting of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel held on Tuesday night (Nov 23), local resident Jane Jameson spoke in objection to the proposals.
She said: “There’s already a disporportionately high number of restaurants, takeaway, pubs.
“An additional one would be excessive. Such long hours would lead to increased noise and disturbance.”
The new takeaway will open from 7.30am to 11.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 7.30am to 11pm on Sundays.
But Shahid Sarraz, national franchise manager for Rio’s Piri Piri, told councillors that the company will put in place measures, such as filters, to reduce noise.
City planners previously said the number of eateries along Portswood Road reflects the nature of the area as a designated district centre and the number of hot food takeaways nearby is not considered excessive for the area.
They also said the new takeaway “would not give rise to material harm in terms of noise and disturbance to neighbouring occupiers”.
The panel unanimously approved the plans.
Previously
Decision looms on Portswood piri piri plan
The old October Books shop. Photo from May 2017
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