Petition fails to halt plan for Hereford takeaway

A Hereford convenience store can be turned into a takeaway – despite a petition signed by nearly 150 locals opposing the move.

Daljit Kalket applied in spring for planning permission to change current Eign Stop, at 160 Eign Street on the western edge of the city’s conservation area, to serve hot food between 9am and 11pm seven days.

The 146-strong petition, organised by landlord of the nearby Horse & Groom pub Simon Gunning, objected on the grounds that “another hot food premises in this street would be detrimental to this area of conservation and will create increased noise, traffic, smells and litter problems”.

But Herefordshire Council’s environmental health officer Phillipa Long said she was satisfied that noise from the takeaway would “not exceed acceptable levels”, though she requested full details of types of meals to be served along with their methods of preparation.

Mrs Kalket wrote in response that she planned to serve fried burgers, chicken nuggets and chips, grilled bacon and egg sandwiches and sausages, and doner kebabs prepared on a kebab machine, along with sandwiches, toasties and baguettes, tea, coffee and cakes.

She also provided details on planned noise and odour mitigation measures.

Eight public comments supporting the application were lodged, along with six individual objections.

Planning officer Simon Rowles concluded that the proposal “would have no significant adverse impact on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers, or on the character and appearance of the building and its environs”.

Permission for the change was granted on condition that Mrs Kalket implement the noise and odour measures she proposed, and that the takeaway not open beyond 11pm.