New fish and chip shop and restaurant approved in St Albans

THE OWNER of a new St Albans takeaway and restaurant said he is “over the moon” after getting council approval for his business.

David Moorthy, owner of Harpers Fish Bar and Restaurant, in the Highfield area, collected about 500 signatures on a petition in support of his application for the joint fish and chip shop and restaurant after local residents objected to his proposal.

He said: “I would like to thank everyone who signed the petition and supported me. We are over the moon.”

St Albans district council gave the go-ahead for Harpers Fish Bar and Restaurant to open at the site of the former Ivory Restaurant, Loyd Court, Russet Drive, despite 41 letters of objection citing fears of an increase in antisocial behaviour, traffic, litter, noise and cooking odours.

Council received 27 letters of support for the takeaway and caf�, which seats up to 40 diners, with residents saying the takeaway was needed in Highfield and that they did not foresee any antisocial behaviour problems.

Council said the development was acceptable at Highfield because noise, fumes and traffic should not greatly impact on neighbours.

At a recent planning committee meeting, where approval was granted, a council officer’s report addressed objectors’ concerns, including saying that the proposed flue would expel fumes at roof level, away from surrounding homes, which was considered sufficient to avoid unacceptable fumes and smells.

The report added that given the modest size of the caf�, a significant litter problem was not anticipated.