PLANS for the demolition of the car wash at the Esso garage in Oxford Road to make way for a Burger King food to go restaurant , were discussed at the Calne Town Council Planning Committee this week.
The application submitted to Wiltshire Council last month outlines plans to demolish the car wash area currently on site which would then make way for an extension for a 'Food To Go' area and improved parking facilities.
Calne Town Councillors felt that the application is misleading as the plans state 'Food to Go' but are actually for a Burger King takeaway which only becomes clear when clicking into the proposed site map for the plans.
Councillors discussed concerns that the takeaway would cause more traffic issues in town with increased pedestrian and vehicle congestion which could cause delays to the buses using that route. It was felt that there was no mention of how the developers would mitigate the inevitable increase in emission levels.
The potential for the Burger King to operate 24/7 also raised concerns of litter, noise and anti-social behaviour, with councillors commenting that the plan 'doesn’t have regard to the compatibility of adjoining buildings and uses, the impact on the amenities of existing occupants, and ensuring that appropriate levels of amenity are achievable within the development itself, including the consideration of privacy, overshadowing, vibration, and pollution'.
It was agreed that Calne Town Council would therefore strongly object to this application which will be decided by Wiltshire Council.
Another plan discussed at the meeting was an application from Churchill Retirement Living to change one of the four vacant retail units at Orchard Lodge into a residential apartment. Councillors felt that the applicant hadn't adequately tried to market the vacant commercial units and with a long lease being the option on these units rather than rent, the opportunity for new businesses or expanding businesses had not been fully explored. You can view the full planning application for the Burger King takeaway here.
You can read the full Council Meeting Minutes here.
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