Pizza van bid for Ullapool lodged with Highland Council
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THE Free Church in Ullapool could soon have a pizza van parked in its car park if council planners give their blessing, despite a strong objection from a local resident.
If approved, churchgoers will not have to resist the temptation of mouthwatering aromas wafting from the van’s wood-fired oven as they arrive for services at 10 Quay Street.
The would-be operator, Daniel Connell, has permission from the church to park his van, being converted in London this month, but it will not operate during the times of the two Sunday services or the one on Wednesday evenings.
But local woman Jayne Tracy is not happy, and has written to the council pointing out Quay Street is a busy road and one of the main routes through the village.
It is also a main route for children walking to and from Ullapool Primary School, and she is concerned that people could be forced on to the road if congestion occurs at the pizza van.
She added: “We have seen huge queues at the take away catering establishment in the village last year, who struggled to serve the amount of customers presenting themselves.”
Ms Tracy also fears traffic congestion in the area, and ends her letter: “This is a residential area so the van will cause disruption and unwanted comings and goings every day for residents. Also problems with litter and gulls.”
February 11 was the deadline for public representations.
Mr Connell, of Loggie, Lochbroom, said in his application to Highland Council that his van, a 2015 Renault Master lowloader, will not require the use of any local services such as water or electricity, and litter bins will be at the site.
Environmental health have no objections in principle, but noise regulations must be heeded.
The car park is in use on Sunday mornings from 10.30am-12.30pm, Sunday evening from 5.30pm-7.30pm and Wednesdays from 6.30pm-8.30pm.
Ullapool has a population of about 1500, but the busy fishing and ferry port is a tourist and visitor magnet and each summer the population explodes and its vast hospitality sector, including street food outlets, clicks into overdrive – and the church could be a prime site being only a short walk from the village centre.
The application is currently under consideration by the council planners.
