EXTENDING a cafe and takeaway business will cause distress to residents’ daily lives in Jericho, it has been claimed.

The owner of the Walton Cafe, in Walton Street, Melih Tanyeri-Aladag, has applied for permission to add an extra floor with a flat roof to the back of the building. The plans would extend the cafe area allowing more customers to be served.

It is understood that Mr Tanyeri-Aladag has also applied to Oxford City Council to extend the opening hours of his business, by seeking to close at midnight instead of 6pm, seven days a week.

The application will go before a licensing committee on Tuesday.

Walton Street resident Michael Cork said he was concerned a restaurant would be more disruptive than a cafe.

He said in a letter to the city council: “In a restaurant it will be a lot more people [sic] and when alcohol is involved it will result in a lot of late night noise.

“We have children who need to sleep only metres away from the proposed plans, and we also have to get up for work.

“The plans proposed are going to cause great distress to our daily life.”

City councillor Susanna Pressel said people living nearby were concerned that it would result in more traffic, as well more noise and negative impact on privacy.

She said: “The hours are long and I think it is likely to cause more noise and disturbance.

“I am also concerned because it is a building in the middle of a residential area.

“There are four flats sharing a wall with the business and it is also next to a council housing block.”

In a formal submission to the city council, JPPC Chartered Town Planners said the premises were currently run as a cafe and hot and cold food takeaway, having been granted that status in December 2013.

The firm claimed it had been used in that manner for more than 10 years. It said the proposed extension would create room for five more tables, alongside the current 10, meaning the business could “move away from sales of takeaway food”.

The building is also in the Jericho Conservation Area, so councillors are likely to pay particular attention to any visual impact the building could have. JPPC said the owner had already reduced the extension in size by 50 per cent, after officers expressed concerns.

Mr Tanyeri-Aladag said he was writing to residents and would be prepared to meet them in the cafe this weekend.

He said: “I am trying to make it a restaurant, instead of a takeaway, which will be better for the area and easier for neighbours.

“Nobody has yet come to me to talk about it, although I understand there are objections to the plans.

“I would like to meet with residents to talk about their concerns.”


 

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