Fears that customer parking at Ravensthorpe takeaway will clog up busy road

There are fears that work on a new cafe and takeaway in Ravensthorpe could clog up a busy main road.
Construc tion of a take away unit on Havelock Street, Ravensthorpe.Construc tion of a take away unit on Havelock Street, Ravensthorpe.
Construc tion of a take away unit on Havelock Street, Ravensthorpe.

Kirklees Council planners are now investigating whether the conversion of a house at the junction of Huddersfield Road and Havelock Street complies with the rules.

Local businesses fear it could lead to problems for HGVs accessing a nearby industrial estate, causing a backlog onto the A644.

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The authority is in the midst of a pre-enforcement inquiry following the alleged unauthorised siting of a shipping container in the grounds of the former house and cladding of the building’s exterior.

The converted shipping container appears to be a servery or kiosk for the proposed Doodh Patti Cafe.

The issue of congestion was highlighted by businesses on the Low Mill Lane industrial estate who fear that increased parked cars from customers using the cafe and takeaway will block access.

One business commented: “Our main concern is [that] our wagons’ entrance route to the industrial estate is from the Havelock Street junction.

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“Currently customers visiting businesses and takeaways opposite usually park on both sides of the junction despite the double yellow lines.

“This becomes a real struggle and hazard for our wagons to turn in and out and usually creates a traffic backlog as the wagon drivers have to manoeuvre around the parked vehicles.

“Also visibility of pedestrians is very poor due to vehicles parked on the junction.

“If the development does not have a stopping order placed on it, it will create severe issues for us and the public as the premises is located on a give way sign.”

A Kirklees Council spokesperson said: “Our planning compliance team are investigating the alleged use of the premises, and have served a Planning Contravention Notice as part of their investigation.”