Restaurant plan gets roasted by competition
Jam Jar cafe owner cites noise, parking and safety
A Bridge of Allan restaurateur has hit out at plans to turn the town’s defunct Bank of Scotland premises into a restaurant and bar.
Businessman Simon Littlejohn has cited noise, parking and road safety as reasons to object to the proposal at the former Henderson Street bank premises 100 yards along the road from his Jam Jar cafe.
Mr Littlejohn, and fellow objectors, also claimed a proposed canopy would obscure oncoming traffic and customers from viewing signage and window displays of neighbouring shops.
Junior Estates, who own the building at 45 Henderson Street, had submitted the planning application for change of use from bank to restaurant with outdoor seating at the Henderson Street premises. The bank closed on Monday.
Mr Littlejohn said in his objection lodged with planners: “External noise from drinking, eating and smoking will generate noise for the flats upstairs, especially at night.
“Any industrial ventilation, fridges, air con and coolers will cause noise and smells to the detriment of the upper flats.
“There is no parking shown; the existing parking is for the flats. This will cause issues on the high street.
“The addition of new bin storage at the rear looks like it could only be located near to the access steps to the flats. [I’m concerned] this will cause a smell and be unpleasant and untidy for the residents and potentially attract vermin.”
Mr Littlejohn was also concerned about the business’s “close proximity” to the roundabout and zebra crossing.
Traffic, including lorries, stopping at the site, he added, would create a potential hazard.
Rachel Bruce, of Henderson Street also pointed to potential traffic dangers at the crossing. She said: “The parking situation in Bridge of Allan is already a struggle. This will cause the main street to have even more parking difficulties.”
And Callum MacDougall of Allanvale Road said that cars exiting the 45 Henderson Street building’s pend will have their view obscured of the pavement and oncoming pedestrians and the road by people sitting round tables outside the restaurant.
But Alastair Heron of Junior Estates – who own the building at 45 Henderson Street – said this week: “The same issues, like zig zags and bins, apply at (Simon Littlejohn’s) Jam Jar Cafe, the Allan Water Cafe and the former Food Punk restaurant across the road. There are zig zag lines outside these premises. I don’t understand why this application should be singled out in this way.
“I don’t blame Mr Littlejohn for objecting to the planning application. He doesn’t want any further competition in Bridge of Allan.
“However, it has to be pointed out that Bridge of Allan is a destination for a lot of people these days. It’s not just the people of the town eating and drinking here, but people from all over.”