Plans for a catering trailer will be discussed by Cheltenham Borough Council's Planning Committee next week (October 16).

Local business, Shire Box, wants to sell hot drinks and snacks to users of Swindon Village Park from the car park, close to a playground and playgroup.

The proposed traditional catering trailer with serving hatch is 3.68 metres long by 2.02 metres wide and 2.47 metres high.

Council officers are recommending the plans be approved.

But Swindon Village Parish Council and local borough councillor, Cllr Flo Clucas, have objected to the plans.

Cllr Clucas' objections are:

• The opening hours will cross playtimes

• Parking spaces will be lost

• If parking space is to be lost, parking will take place on the road, which will cause problems for residents and for other road users

• It is too close to the play area for safety

• There is no mention of what food nor how the food will be cooked/ power usage or equipment

• If a generator is used, that will create noise for local residents living nearby

If it gets the go-ahead, the trailer will take up two spaces of the 30-space car park, with the trailer, A-boards and a queuing system.

The parish council said:

• It is untrue that the car park is quiet. It is often busy. Parking places can be at a premium and manoeuvring can be difficult

• The facility is likely to lead to an increase in rubbish in the area

• There is likely to be an increase in pest issues

• The application is not specific regarding the types of goods to be sold. There is local concern that some activities (eg frying) could lead to odours

• It is likely that a generator would be used with attendant problems with noise and fumes

There were also 26 letters of objection from local people and just three letters of support. The main objections from local people were:

• Already enough fast-food outlets in the area

• Lack of menu detail

• Loss of parking spaces/ pedestrian safety/ increase in traffic

• Visual impact

• Noise and odour

• Proximity to school and nursery

• Proximity to play area

• No toilet facilities

• Increase in litter

In response, the applicant clarified that they would be serving hot drinks, pastries and snacks. The trailer wouldn't be a fast-food takeaway and they do not intend to serve burgers and fries. Hot food will be limited to toasted sandwiches and paninis.

The applicant added: "In late 2023/ early 2024, Cheltenham Borough Council (CBC) identified Swindon Village Park as one of several viable sites that businesses could apply to trade from (as well as Hatherley Park, Hartley Lane and Sandford Park). The purpose of marketing those opportunities was to assess the 'viability of our popular parks and gardens to both enhance the current offerings in these locations and also to provide services to communities to allow then to greater enjoy the town's recreational spaces.'"

Shire Box is intending to provide waste bins for both recyclables and general waste and will remove litter from the site each day.

The report to committee said: "With regard to the lack of toilets on site for customers, facilities such as this, providing hot drinks and snacks within local parks are not uncommon nowadays, and few if any provide toilet facilities."

The council's Property Team supports the plans. It said the introduction of a commercial element within an underutilised area of the park "will generate additional income, supporting the long-term sustainability of Swindon Village Playing Field and enabling reinvestment into its maintenance and improvement".

If it gets the go-ahead, Shire Box will operate seven days a week - 7:30am-5:30pm Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5pm on Saturdays and 9am-4pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

It is seeking permission to be on site for an additional 30 minutes before opening and after closing to allow for properly setting up and closing down. The catering truck, A-boards and queueing system will be removed from the car park at the end of every day.