Will planned restaurant lead to rats and parking chaos?

9:50am Friday 12th March 2010

By David Paine

AN empty car showroom in Worcester could be turned into a restaurant serving traditional English food.

The proposals to transform the disused Jaguar House showroom in Castle Street into a restaurant could create 22 jobs.

But residents living nearby are worried about customers clogging up side streets with parked cars, increased noise levels, anti-social behaviour and waste attracting vermin.

The plans show the proposed restaurant could cater for more than 100 customers at any one time but only one parking space will be provided. Customers will be expected to leave their vehicles in nearby car parks at Worcester Racecourse and off Croft Road.

Some residents say people will try and park in Easy Row and other side streets unless a parking scheme is introduced.

Many also question the need for another restuarant in that location given the fact that Ostlers in Severn Terrace is already established and a café is due to open as part of the University of Worcester’s refurbishment of the old hospital site in Castle Street.

Several letters of objection from people living in Severn Terrace and Hamilton Square have already been sent to Worcester City Council’s planners.

Max Nightingale, of Severn Terrace, said in his letter: “Parking in the street is already under strain and should be turned over to residential parking only.

“There will be an increased risk that the storage of waste food and other materials outside the development will attract vermin scavenging for food.”

James Jester, whose Severn Terrace home is next to the showroom, wrote: “Living next to the property, I have concerns with the noise levels generated by customers smoking outside and leaving at 11.30pm.

“It seems the applicant is aware there will be high noise levels because of the planting of trees to screen it. When this becomes effective I will lose daylight from my property.”

While this proposal is to set up an independent restaurant, some people are concerned that granting permission for that could lead to a big chain taking it over in the future. Others are worried about the building being turned into a late-night bar or club.

The proposal has been submitted by Stephen Castledine, of Malvern, but he was unavailable for comment.