A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to convert a property in Elmfield Court, Lindford, into a Chinese restaurant delivery outlet, was agreed by councillors on Thursday. The approval, which was won by only one vote, will see the retail outlet change into a delivery restaurant, meaning food will be cooked and dispatched from there, but will not receive any customers to the store. The application received 28 letters from residents, stating concerns of increased traffic volume, noise pollution, and odours. However, the planning committee heard from Greg Hall, the building surveyor for the applicant Mr Tang, who said that all these objections had been dealt with. "The problem with previous applications have been overcome to make this application acceptable. "The extractor system we have is state-of-the-art- so much so that the environmental health officer not only approved the system, but wanted to use the design as an example to other businesses. "The building has been made soundproof at the level of 57 decibels, and considering street volume is around 80 decibels, that is extremely quiet." However, some of the committee were not entirely convinced by the design. Ian Dowdle said: "I know this row of property very well as I ran a business at number four for six years, and the fact is that the first-floor windows are very close to the ground floor. When those windows are open odours will get in, and the extraction unit will be as much use as mud flaps on a tortoise." Yvonne Parker-Smith supported residents in their objections. "I'm not satisfied that there will be no bad odour, and in order for this business to be successful, there will be a lot of traffic movement, as the mopeds deliver the orders." There were also concerns raised that the chimney would appear ugly, and would be out of keeping with the area, as the extraction flue will run through the inside of the building to a chimney on the roof. District council leader Ferris Cowper was against the plans. "I have a lot of niggles about this plan. I think the change of use will cause a lot of noise pollution, not only from the mopeds shuttling to and fro, but also food preparation will go on into the night, as too will noise from the staff, and perhaps their music. The noise levels will be humoungous."
