Decision day looms on plans to support a new high street takeaway restaurant.

Members of Southampton City Council’s planning committee will consider the proposal for the site in Portswood district centre.

Applicant HKSA Trading Ltd is seeking permission to add a single-storey rear extension to 197 Portswood Road as part of plans to covert the retail unit into a takeaway.

The premises are currently used as a retail hardware store.

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The application is due to be debated by the committee on Tuesday, August 27, at the request of objecting Portswood ward councillors.

Part of their concerns centred on the impact of users of the Mencap centre, which is accessed by the service road at the rear of the premises.

Planning officers have recommended approval of the scheme with conditions.

A report to the committee said initially the applicant was hoping to open until 3am but they subsequently agreed to reduce this to midnight seven days a week.

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Cllr Marie Finn said: “I am happy to see that they have changed their opening hours to end at midnight. I have no concern about there being an extension and a takeaway in itself.

“My objection comes from uncertainty about the effect of increased traffic and construction vehicles will have on the safety and convenience of access for the service users of the Mencap centre, especially pedestrians and in the winter when the surface conditions are worsened by rain and mud.

“If a solution can be found to this alleyway issue, I would withdraw the objection but as it stands, I request that it goes to planning committee for discussion and consideration.”

Cllr John Savage said he objected because of the threat to worsening the condition of the road for other users, noise and disturbance, and anti-social behaviour at night in an area with a lack of surveillance.

In their report, planning officers said any dispute over damage caused to the lane during construction would be a civil matter, however, a construction management plan would be secured by condition to minimise obstructions and damage.