A senior Ceredigion councillor has submitted plans to extend his chip shop empire to a nearby village, but local objectors claim it is the wrong ‘plaice’ for the proposed scheme.
In an application before Ceredigion County Council planners, Cabinet Member for Partnerships, Housing, Legal and Governance and Public Protection Cllr Matthew Vaux seeks permission for replacement shops, including a new chip shop, on the ground floor, together with a first-floor residential flat at Parc Y Pant Produce Shop, Cross Inn, near New Quay.
The Parc Y Pant site was previously an old produce shop, which has since been demolished after Cllr Vaux was granted a 2023 permission for a change of use of the site to a replacement shop and a first floor two-bedroom open market flat.
At the time of that application, granted by the council’s planning committee, Cllr Vaux had stressed the need for local housing, saying Ceredigion had seen the largest percent decrease in the number of children living in it of any authority in Wales.
The latest application includes the addition of a fast-food outlet on the ground floor, open to a late as 10pm; Cllr Vaux already having a chip shop in nearby New Quay called the Captains Rendezvous.
Local community council Llanllwchaearn has supported the scheme on economic grounds and the need for local housing.
One objector to the latest scheme said it would lead to increased roadside parking, “leading to traffic chaos and possible accidents,” and the area being a residential one where “we do not wish to constantly smell hot fat and frying food”.
Objectors have said there are currently two businesses providing takeaway food in the village, with many more facilities in New Quay, less than two miles away.
A couple, who had supported the original application, have raised concerns about traffic congestion for the latest scheme, saying parking issues in the village are already causing congestion and reducing visibility for residents exiting driveways.
“My wife is a member of HM Coastguard so receives frequent callouts to emergency situations. If she cannot exit our driveway because it becomes impeded, it will delay her response time. With the very real potential that a casualty does not receive the aid needed in a timely manner.
“At peak times a chip shop will cause a significant increase in on-road parking congestion and highway safety dangers. Some drivers will partly park on the pavement with the potential to force pedestrians onto the road increasing risk to life.”
That objection added: “If this proposed change of use is granted there is nothing to stop the applicant to add kebabs and pizzas to his food offer, leading to even more noise and disturbance late at night.”
It finished: “Although an A1 outlet will add to the current parking congestion, it pales in comparison to the negative impact a fast-food takeaway will have and the dangers it will create.”
The latest application will be considered by county planners at a later date.
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