By Jason Lewis, Local Democracy Reporter
Decision day looms on plans to support a new high street takeaway restaurant on Portswood Road in premises used for 35 years for the district centre’s hardware store.
Mencap entrance in Portswood
Portswood Hardware to close after 35 years
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Members of Southampton City Council’s planning committee will consider the proposal from applicant HKSA Trading Ltd, which is seeking permission to add a single-storey rear extension to 197 Portswood Road as part of plans to convert the retail unit, currently occupied by Portswood Hardware, into a takeaway.
The application is due to be debated by the committee on Tuesday, August 27, at the request of objecting Portswood ward councillors.
Part of their concerns centred on the impact of users of the Mencap centre, which is accessed by the service road at the rear of the premises.
Planning officers have recommended approval of the scheme with conditions.
Rear of 197 Portswood Road, off an unadopted service road, opposite Mencap
A report to the committee said initially the applicant was hoping to open until 3am but they subsequently agreed to reduce this to midnight seven days a week.
Cllr Marie Finn, pictured left, said: “I am happy to see that they have changed their opening hours to end at midnight. I have no concern about there being an extension and a takeaway in itself.
“My objection comes from uncertainty about the effect of increased traffic and construction vehicles will have on the safety and convenience of access for the service users of the Mencap centre, especially pedestrians and in the winter when the surface conditions are worsened by rain and mud.
“If a solution can be found to this alleyway issue, I would withdraw the objection but as it stands, I request that it goes to planning committee for discussion and consideration.”
Cllr John Savage said he objected because of the threat to worsening the condition of the road for other users, noise and disturbance, and anti-social behaviour at night in an area with a lack of surveillance.
In their report, planning officers said any dispute over damage caused to the lane during construction would be a civil matter, however, a construction management plan would be secured by condition to minimise obstructions and damage.
As reported, the Portswood service road has previously been at the centre of concerns over flytipping and potholes.
Portswood Hardware to close after 35 years
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