Council approves takeaway despite "unbearable" impact fears

• Quick facts box

  1. Cardiff Council’s planning committee approved a new restaurant and takeaway in Birchgrove

  2. Three councillors raised concerns about parking and too many takeaways in the area

  3. In contrast, planning documents stated it will boost footfall in the area

Cardiff Council has approved planning permission for a new restaurant and takeaway in Birchgrove.

The local authority’s planning committee approved the proposals to change the use of an empty two-storey building at 129 Caerphilly Road at a meeting on March 13.

Planning documents show the restaurant’s opening hours will be from 8am to 11pm seven days a week and that four full-time and two part-time members of staff will be employed.

There were written objections to the application from Labour councillors Mike Ash-Edwards, Graham Hinchey and Julie Sangani who all represent Heath ward.

The councillors had two main concerns, firstly, that the local shopping area already has a significant proportion of units offering food, drink and takeaways and that more would lead to “an area with an imbalance of diversity which is inhibiting the sustenance of a varied and vibrant shopping area”.

Secondly, they said there was a “lack of parking and the current disturbance relating to local residents particularly from short stay parking arising from local takeaway businesses”.

The councillors added that “the suggestion in the application that there is plenty of available parking in this area is not our experience, and as local councillors we receive a volume of complaint about this matter.”

A neighbour, Ping Huang, also made public concerns about the plans and the flue systems in particular, writing that pre-existing pipes are already “disturbing” and adding another will make the living situation “unbearable”.

They added: “It will disturb mine and my children’s sleep from the noise and the vibration that will run through my flat…in the long run is going to cause mental health problems.”

In contrast, analysis from the planning department states that the plans will bring a unit that has been empty since April 2024 into use, will attract footfall and would “the change of use would contribute positively to the vitality and viability of the local centre”.

In a Q&A on Cardiff Council’s website, it states that the planning committee functions like a quasi-judicial body, assessing all evidence and legal requirements before making decisions, and cannot reject a legally sound application based on public objections alone without risking costly appeals or legal action.

The full application is available on the council’s planning website under reference 24/02821/FUL.

• 💡Planning: Did you know?💡

  • If someone is planning to build something that needs planning permission, they have to send an application to their Local Planning Authority - that’s Cardiff Council

  • The council’s planning department and planning committee are responsible for deciding on matters such as loft extensions to tall buildings, housing estates to football stadiums

  • Major developments require planning committee approval whereas home extensions can be approved by the planning department

  • The planning committee is made up of councillors but works independently

  • The planning committee functions like a quasi-judicial body, assessing all evidence and legal requirements before making decisions, and cannot reject a legally sound application based on public objections alone without risking costly appeals or legal action.

  • It can take around eight weeks for a decision to be made but longer for applications that need an Environmental Impact Assessment

  • A planning decision is usually valid for five years, unless it has a specific time limit on it