Takeaway van plans rejected

County planners have rejected a scheme to sell hot takeaway food from a trailer near Asda in Hereford.

Daniel Marin wanted to be able to place a trailer on the private car park off Belmont roundabout to serve gyros, which is a Greek pita sandwich traditionally made using pork or chicken, from noon to 10pm every day.

He had permission from the landlord but needed planning approval from Herefordshire Council.

However, a petition signed by 24 residents was presented to the council saying the trailer is too close to their homes and will cause noise and smell.

They also say it will affect the pedestrian access.

Paul Neades, speaking on behalf of the applicant, said Mr Marin was looking to move his modest small business from his home and stall in town to a more suitable and sustainable location.

“The business model is predominantly online services via Just Eat and Deliveroo therefore we will not be placing any tables, chairs or anything outside the unit and the food will be takeaway only,” he said.

“There would be no plates or cutlery or anything like that which would cause littering in the area.

“The application would allow him to cook gyros which is a Greek dish made from pork and chicken, there’s no beef products being used hence there will be no smoke generated from the unit.

“The product itself is cooked at home and it is brought to the unit where it is reheated. The only thing that would be emitted would effectively be steam.”

Ward councillor Kevin Tillett said the plans were in a very densely populated area which was opposed by residents.

“They fear that they will suffer from noise, odour and light pollution during what is planned to be 10 hours trading seven days a week.

“Inevitably there will be further disruption outside those hours to allow for delivery set up and cleaning.”

He called on the planning committee to reject the scheme.

Councillor Paul Rone, who represents the nearby Redhill ward, also called for it to be rejected.

“Smell is the issue. Six homes or more are going to be impacted by the odour coming from this fast-food van.”

He said the city council and the residents of Belmont Square objected to the scheme.

Councillor Polly Andrews proposed rejecting the scheme and this was seconded by councillor Jeremy Milln.

The committee unanimously rejected the proposals.