THE new Pizza Express restaurant in AltonÕs Market Square has finally opened its doors, after complications with the ventilation systems delayed the opening date.

Wednesday saw the first customers pile in the new establishment, after months of anticipation.

The delay came about after ventilation equipment due to be installed on the roof garden of the Ladyplace Court residential complex for the over-60s, located above the restaurant, was deemed to be a statutory nuisance by the Environmental Health Department at East Hampshire District Council.

Ladyplace residents were outraged when the unit, measuring 4ft 6in tall, 4ft 3in wide and 2ft 3in deep, was lifted on to the roof garden by crane just before Christmas.

As well as occupying valuable space in the roof garden and being an eyesore, residents were worried that the unit would emit constant noise, smell and vibrations. Worried that this would affect the peace and tranquillity of their roof garden, the adjoining communal lounge and three adjacent residential flats, residents enlisted the help of the Environmental Health Department.

The department shared their concerns and subsequently vetoed the original plans. Ever since, engineers have been working on behalf of Pizza Express and Downlands Housing, who run the Ladyplace complex, to find a solution acceptable to all parties.

After extensive consultation and communication between all parties, a mutually amicable solution was reached. Ventilation systems have now been placed in the underground car park of Ladyplace Court, where noise and vibration will not cause a nuisance.

A Ladyplace Resident whose bedroom backs on to the roof garden, said: We are absolutely delighted to see the back of it. Even the chap who was connecting the unit to the crane said how he wouldnÕt want a monster thing like this right next to his bedroom.

ÒIÕm glad that this thing wonÕt be humming next to my bedroom window all day and all night, but IÕm also glad that we have got our roof garden back, and so is everybody else.

These new units are much smaller; about 3ft tall, 3ft wide and 1ft deep. Plus, they are going in a far more sensible place where they will not disturb anybody.Ó

Barry Loke of EHDCÕs Environmental Health Department was instrumental in making sure that any ventilation systems installed would not cause a nuisance to the residents.

He said: ÒThere was no way that the first unit could have been installed on the roof garden as far as we were concerned, but Pizza Express were extremely accommodating in revising their plans.

ÒPizza Express removed its original unit before we had to order them to, and their alternative plans were agreed by a range of various engineers and approved by us.

ÒThe placement of the air conditioner and refrigeration units in the underground car park seems to have made everybody happy, including the Ladyplace Court residents, Downlands Housing and Pizza Express themselves, and we are certainly very happy with it.

ÒIt was very much a joint effort to get the situation rectified, and this has been a great example of partnerships working effectively.Ó

David Sykes of the Pizza Express Property Department, said: ÒWe were very keen to be present in Alton. It has taken a lot of time and effort to come up with a solution to the problem, but we were prepared to spend this time and effort in order to get our new restaurant open.

ÒWe are delighted to have reached a solution that seems to have pleased everybody. We have been in business for many years and we have opened around 300 restaurants. Not all of these have gone smoothly, and we have come to learn that patience and flexibility can overcome the majority of problems.Ó

The branch manager of the new restaurant Alan Frith, said: ÒWe opened our doors at midday on Wednesday. It is such a relief to finally be open after everything that has gone on, and it is obvious that many local people have been waiting eagerly for their new restaurant. In the few days leading up to the opening, we received 50 calls asking when we would be open for business.Ó