WELSHPOOL Town Council’s planning committee has objected to plans for a drive-through restaurant on the outside of the town at its meeting on Wednesday, April 10.

It was opposed for a number of reasons, including the fact that it is outside the Local Development Boundary and that school children would have to cross a busy road to access the restaurant.

Robert Robinson, the town clerk, introduced the application for the drive-through restaurant by saying that it was an “interesting one” as the site is just outside the development boundary.

Harry Tuffins, on the other side of the roundabout, is within the boundary and its owner, Delves & Co, is also the company submitting the application for the drive-through.

Mr Robinson also noted that the site’s distance from Welshpool High School and a new primary school were matters for the committee to consider.

Cllr Chris Davies, for Gungrog Ward said the drive-through location was in “totally the wrong position” and was an “accident waiting to happen” as it will encourage children to “walk about on the bypass”.

Cllr Folkert Veenstra for Llanerchyddol Ward, raised concerns about access by foot. Councillor, Richard Church, agreed, saying part of the council’s climate change agenda was to promote cycling and a drive-through was “contrary to that”.

Mayor Steve Kaye, Cllr for Gungrog Ward, said the amount of litter that could come from the restaurant, particularly on the canal, was a “big worry”. A member of the public also raised concerns about rubbish. He said that people already sit by the canal and “chuck litter in” from food bought from Tuffins, and that this could get worse with another food outlet nearby.