Heat goes on plan for curry house

ON THE MENU: The villa on the corner of Bank St and Apirana Ave could be converted into a franchised Indian restaurant, though neighbours are not happy. PHOTO/MICHAEL CUNNINGHAM

An Indian restaurant looks set to join the line-up of takeaway eateries in Bank St, drawing the ire of some neighbours who say it will disturb the peace and cause further traffic woes in the area.

A historic villa on the 1300sq m site on the corner of Apirana Ave and Bank St - near McDonald's - could be converted into a Masala franchised restaurant, if resource consent is granted following a Whangarei District Council hearing next week.

The 80-seat restaurant and takeaway would operate between 11am-2.30pm for lunch and 5-11.30pm for dinner, and would include 10 on-site carparks. An additional accessway on Apirana Ave would be created as part of a conversion that would see a large wraparound deck installed at the villa.

Some neighbours say the accessway could cause chaos.

Christine Harding, who owns two units at 7 Apirana Ave, said cars turning from Bank St coupled with those pulling out of the new driveway would be an "accident waiting to happen".

"That road is the back entrance to a school, we don't need more traffic on that corner."

Ms Harding was also against having a restaurant serving alcohol next to McDonald's.

Jan Holmes, a neighbour at No3, also had concerns about the restaurant and requested that a sound-proof fence be constructed. She strongly opposed the creation of another accessway on Apirana Ave and said noise from rubbish collections, patrons, deliveries and kitchen staff could pose problems for residents.

The restaurant is a permitted activity under the district plan, with council planners recommending the consent be granted. Three protected trees on the site, two rimu and a pohutakawa, were not likely to be affected by the proposal, the planners said.

The consent application will go before the council's hearing commissioner on Thursday.

The company behind the proposed restaurant, Trading Company Ltd, could not be reached for comment.