New pizza takeaway to open in Daventry town centre if planning approval is granted

A new national pizza takeaway chain looks set to open in Daventry town centre after getting the backing of a council planning officer.

Papa Johns wants to open a new branch in the former Go Mobile shop in Bowen Square but needs Daventry District Council to grant it planning permission.

An officer has recommended the planning committee to approve the application at its meeting next week, despite two objections from neighbours.

"The proposed development would not have a detrimental impact on the amenity of the occupiers of the flats to the first floors of the adjoining units," their report, published on Monday (February 22), says.

"Furthermore, it will not have an adverse impact on highway safety or on on-street parking within the vicinity as the site is in the town centre where on-street parking is controlled and there is ample availability of existing public car parking nearby.

"The proposal will bring back into use an empty retail unit which will contribute to the vitality and viability of the town centre and the new shop front will lead to an improvement in the visual amenity of this part of the Daventry town centre."

For Papa Johns to open in the vacant unit, its official use needs to be changed along with internal and external alterations, including an extract flue.

It would operate from 11am to 11pm from Sunday to Thursday and on bank holidays and until 1am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Two letters of objection were concerned about a big chain takeaway impacting on smaller independent restaurants who are already struggling and causing parking, noise and litter issues in Bowen Square.

Councillors will decide on the plan during the virtual meeting on Wednesday (March 3).

The nearest Papa Johns to Daventry currently are in Rugby, three in Northampton and in Banbury, but there are Dominos, Pizza Hut and other independent takeaways in the town centre.