Proposed village pizzeria prompts ‘unprecedented backlash’ and more than 40 objections

Plans for a new pizzeria have sparked an “unprecedented backlash” in the community, with more than 40 objections raised by villagers about the car park. The business has been proposed for an area which neighbors in Mountsorrel say is already “favoured” by customers who park “dangerously”.

Our borough, which runs the Publica cafe and Claude and Co retail unit on the same site, originally had planning permission for a soft play area where the proposed pizzeria would go. The cafe and retail unit opened in April, and since then neighbors say the parking lot has gotten out of control. Residents said elderly members of the community and families with small children had to walk on roads to get around vehicles parked on pavements.

Peter Pizzeria submitted the new application, which was requested by two ward councillors, Councilor Sarah Fox and Councilor Lee Westley. This means that they have indicated that they believe the issues are genuine and require discussion by a full planning committee.

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The plans stated that the pizzeria’s proposed opening hours would be noon to 10pm Monday to Saturday and 9pm on Sundays. An increase in staff from the previously approved six to twenty was also noted, along with capacity for 72 diners. No additional parking is included.

A statement submitted with the application said: “The pizzeria would provide space for 72 diners at full capacity. Parking arrangements would be the same as for the previously approved soft play, with staff only parking across the site, apart from the three spaces up to the roadside, which would be available to the public.

“This would ensure there would be a similar number of vehicle journeys to and from the site as the previously approved scheme. The site is in a very sustainable location. It is within walking distance of Mountsorrel village center and regular bus services to Loughborough, Leicester and surrounding villages so future occupiers/visitors would not need to use a car to access the restaurant.”

Coun Westley said: “Please note that I wish to appeal the above application. However, if the officers try to refuse the request through delegated powers, I am happy to withdraw my appeal. The application is to change the use of this area from a soft play to a pizzeria. The soft play area has only recently been approved and there are concerns about the applicant’s compliance with the planning conditions set out in the previous application.”

Coun Fox raised concerns about a number of issues including motorway safety, traffic and parking issues. She said. “It will be imperative that this is heard at the planning committee; caused an unprecedented reaction from local community and action groups. There was already deep concern about the planning applications for this site, which has now been exacerbated by this. request.

“Residents have contacted me and Earl Westley in large numbers, called an emergency public meeting, and some have determined that this is a local ‘crisis’ for the village.”

Councilor Leon Hadji-Nikolaou said: “I met with the residents of Mountsorrel on Saturday 11 May. While new businesses are generally welcome, the existing cafe on the site only has three parking spaces. I cannot understand how the county highways found this reasonable. and acceptable.

“The side streets have been overwhelmed with cars parked in the narrow streets, let alone on the pavements. There are no double yellow lines or bollards to protect local people from unregulated parking. I would personally oppose such an application unless it is coupled with a viable, safe and sustainable plan to absorb traffic and cars As for the side streets, I would ask the County Highways to deal with the parking restrictions, ie residents only.

Ward councilor Chris O’Neill said: “The problem here is parking, or rather the lack of it. The village is already very short of parking spaces along this road. Residents are not happy. This is probably a change of use. (shop to restaurant) and require planning permission Has the change of use actually been granted?

John Strange, one of the neighbors who wrote to oppose the plan, said: “In the 18 years I’ve lived in the area, the only previous business to operate from the site was a garden machinery business, where only an occasional vehicle entering or There was no impact on street parking.

“Since opening to the public we have been inundated with cars parking randomly on pavements in Crown Lane and The Homestead. Large SUVs are dumped in places where there is no room for them. On a couple of occasions I could only get through Crown Lane to get to The Homestead due to cars parked on both sides of the road meaning no emergency vehicles could get through.

“Cars parked on the sidewalk right at the corner of Homestead meant I had to walk down the road around a blind corner. The same situation applies to people with strollers, putting small children at risk.

“Meanwhile, the crowd, with a lot of ground behind it, only has room for a handful of cars. Allowing a 72-seat restaurant to be added to the complex would be disastrous for the neighborhood. Realistically, it could mean another thirty or forty cars. to be thrown into the chaos of parking The public should provide their own on-site parking. Otherwise, this nightmare doesn’t have to happen.