Residents kick up stink over plans for first Korean eatery
STOCKPORT’S restaurant scene could be set for its first taste of Korean food - if complaints about smells from a chimney can be overcome.
Sangduk Baek, 46, from Heaton Mersey, has submitted a planning application to Stockport Council asking to convert the former Little Jack Horner pub, in the town centre.
He now owns the building, which is on Lord Street, and wants to open the Baekdu Korean Barbecue Restaurant.
The application is recommended for approval but residents in the area are concerned the restaurants extraction chimney will pump fumes into their homes.
Flats in Textiles House have windows less than 10 metres from the chimney’s vent and residents fear they will be affected by smells and harmful cooking fumes.
Members of a central area committee meeting ordered that a site visit take place to assess the problem.
Councillor Chris Murphy said: “I would welcome this restaurant, we need to increase the night time activities in Stockport. But people have to live in this town centre.
“We have to see just how close the chimney is to these windows. When people open them in summer what will it be like?”
The kitchen would be built on what was the former pub’s smoking area and then air extract flues or chimneys - will be installed.
Five letters of objection have been submitted against the restaurant with other complaints including noise and the possibility of increased anti-social behaviour.
One resident wrote: “Prevailing winds will drive exhausted fumes at and through any of my open windows facing the proposed scheme. These fumes will contain carbon monoxide, lead and other associated compounds hazardous to health.”
Since complaints have been received the plans have been amended and the new look will be assessed ahead of a decision by the planning committee on January 12.
It was said the needs of developing a town centre night time economy and existing residents’ quality of life must be balanced.
Coun Philip Harding said: “This is another pub that has disappeared, the town centre is becoming dryer by the month.
“We don’t have a Korean restaurant in Stockport as far as I am aware and only one in Manchester. It will be interesting to see how it goes.”