by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser
PROPOSALS for a controversial snack van in Larkhall have been given the go-ahead – despite 11 letters of objections.
Applicant Angela Wilson’s retrospective planning for the siting of the snack van was approved by councillors yesterday (Wednesday).
The Hamilton Area Committee gave the green light to locate the vehicle behind the footway outwith the park and ride car park facility at Larkhall Central Station at McNeil Gate.
The van will operate there between Monday and Saturday from 8am to 2pm.
The snack van was originally located and operated at Caledonian Road for more than 10 years. But it had to move after road improvements works were carried out there last year.
Once the work on Caledonian Road was complete, the roads department would no longer issue a road occupation permit for the site.
The road’s department then helped to find the applicant an alternative site.
Neither they nor environmental services have objected to the proposals.
But 11 letters of objection were sent to the council opposing the plan.
Those against the proposals were mainly concerned about allowing snack vans near existing businesses, the impact on nearby businesses, litter and sewage problems, and the impact on neighbouring residential properties.
They also asked why the business had been permitted to trade with neither a trader’s licence nor planning application when other traders’ vans weren’t permitted to do so.
Larkhall Community Council also objected to the proposals.
They were concerned that the snack van was being moved closer to a school and residential area, would have a detrimental impact on existing businesses and the image of Larkhall.
Community councillors raised the issue that snack vans should only be sited in locations where there is a lack of ‘fast food’ outlets.
Iain Urquhart, the council’s planning chief, dismissed the objections and recommended the proposals.
He said: “It is considered the proposed relocation of an existing mobile snack van which has operated over 10 years in an nearby area will still allow for a convenient and safe access to be provided to the new station while meeting the trading needs of the snack van operator.
“Given the location on the edge of the park and ride car park and that the proposal will not create the addition of a new operator, it is considered that there will be no additional impact on established shops/businesses and that the proposal is not contrary to local plan policy in this instance.
“I would recommend that permission be limited for a period of one year as it involves a temporary structure.”
Source:
http://www.hamiltonadvertiser.co.uk/news/local-news/larkhall-news/
2008/06/12/snack-van-owner-is-given-the-green-light-to-trade-51525-21056842/
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