Hugh Sandeman
Conservative Councillor for Bell Hill ward, Petersfield

The recent complaints from the new residents of apartments around Petersfield's Market square are laughable. I have every sympathy with those people who can't sleep but find it hard to believe that they are so shocked & amazed that a buzzing pub-rich environment causes them sleepless nights.

The Kebab van has always been located at the edge of the square for as long as I can remember. The guys that run it are polite, professional and go out of their way to limit the impact that their operation makes on the surrounding environment.

Whilst on the Town Council, numerous planning applications for flat/apartment developments were put before the Planning Committee, many of them for Town Centre locations. The Planning system is increasingly out of the hands of Local Councils/Councillors and as a direct result rides roughshod over the important local knowledge that is used when looking at the merits of a new development.

The Town Council fought hard over the proposal to demolish Vertigo and to replace it with flats (with hardly any parking provision) built over a bar/club. We said that the noise would be intolerable for the new residents as well as those who currently live across the road. Naturally this made no difference and planning permission was awarded. The current case of complaints about noise by new Town-Centre residents isn't likely to be the last & it boils down to non-local planning decision making, and also people that move into an area without the foresight to research before doing so.

Long-live the Kebab van!