Residents of a Cardiff suburb have raised concerns that it is becoming overrun with fast food outlets, after plans for a new branch of Domino's were approved.
The pizza chain will open on Merthyr Road in the centre of Whitchurch later this year after planning permission was granted by Cardiff Council to move into the unit previously occupied by Blue Skies Travel and Caring Cards stationery shop
The new Domino's will open daily from 8am until 11.30pm, and will be the chain's eighth store in Cardiff, having already opened branches in Canton, Ely, Cathays, Maes Y Coed, Rumney Hill, Cardiff Bay and the city centre.
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But while the news may be welcomed by pizza lovers, some local residents and shop owners have raised their concerns about the change of use and argued that Whitchurch could become "the new Caroline Street", with the concentration of takeaways and fast food restaurants in the area already at a concerning level.
By one resident's calculations, there are currently 16 takeaway restaurants in the Whitchurch area, as well as several other licensed premises where hot food is available. On Merthyr Road alone, there is already a pizzeria, as well as Thai, Indian and Chinese takeaways.
Of 18 residents who were consulted on the plans, 10 chose to leave comments on the application, with four voicing their support and six opposing.
Writing in opposition to the proposal, an N G Andersen said the decision would "have an adverse effect on the character of the area".
They added: "In my opinion, granting this permission would result in the village with an interesting mix of users, becoming 'Chip Alley', with a risk of a range of anti-social behaviours to the detriment of the existing healthy businesses."
Sarah Hughes wrote that the village "has many eateries of various descriptions," while Gary Young added that the area had seen similar businesses open in the past that had "turned out to be a total disaster" and led to increased rubbish and police involvement.
Those who opposed it also suggested the opening of the new Domino's could lead to a spike in anti-social behaviour and road traffic accidents, with many fearing the congestion that could be caused in the area.
The unit is situated directly in front of a busy pedestrian crossing, while the entrance to the main village car park runs alongside it. Ysgol Gymraeg Melin Gruffydd primary school is also nearby, with Merthyr Road used as a thoroughfare for children and parents.
Mark Coray, who owns Coray and Co Hairdressing across the road from what will be the new branch, said the site was "in the centre of the busiest and most dangerous part of the street" and was "most definitely an incorrect place for a Domino's".
Mr Coray, who moved his business to Whitchurch from City Road in Plasnewydd, said the decision to approve the plans "will cost lives", adding that the "extremely busy" road has seen a number of near-miss incidents in the last three years alone.
He wrote: "I wish to strongly object as I believe this is the wrong position for this planned development. This corner is very much a danger as it already stands.
"It is the main route for [a] primary school where small children go to and from daily, both on foot and by car, scooter and pushchair. It is the corner of an extremely busy lane/road and it is the only way into the car park.
"Allowing a Domino's food outlet at this position will attract many motorists looking for the collection of their orders. As we know from history, vehicles (customers of Domino's and other takeaways) do not notice parking restrictions, zigzag lines and danger as we would wish them to, while picking up their pre-ordered food. 'It will only be two minutes' - it only takes two minutes to create a car crash or badly injure a person.
"If permitted this will cost lives, particularly around the zebra crossing area. I also assume you know there is a very high population of elderly and disabled people within Whitchurch village that struggle on this crossing as it stands."
Dr Quais Shaya added: "That road is very narrow. It is congested during the school time. Having Domino's pizza will mean people parking on the road for what they will say is 'only a few seconds', making more chaos. The village suits local business rather than Domino's pizza."
There were also concerns raised about anti-social behaviour, which was prevalent in the area when a Subway sandwich shop was open on Merthyr Road.
Vanessa Young wrote: "There were many youths using the business, as there will be with Domino's, and this created horrendous issues for businesses and visitors to the area.
"There were many fights between themselves, abuse to employees of any businesses who dared to ask them to refrain from said behaviour, my shop included.
"Police were often called to calm measures, even resulting in the roads having to be blocked off due to the many police vehicles needed to control the situation."
Of those who voiced their support for the plans on the application, only one left a comment, with David Rivers simply writing: "Better than another hairdressers."
The new Domino's restaurant on Merthyr Road is set to open later this year.
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