WEST Dunbartonshire Council's planning committee is being asked to grant a request to convert a former office space into a cafe with a hot food takeaway – despite a number of objections including the area's MSP.

The application relates to a premises at 11 Castle Street, Dumbarton, close to the junction of Church Street and the applicant is Nicholas Gilmore.

However, Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie has objected to the proposal, as have local residents and other businesses.

A report to go before members of the planning committee at their next meeting on August 2 says the ground floor shop unit within : "The application relates to a ground floor shop unit within a three-storey sandstone tenement building, situated on the north side of Castle Street close to its junction with Church Street.

"The unit was last used as a MSP’s constituency office but it is currently vacant.

"Other units within this row of buildings comprise an estate agency, a solicitor’s office, a gas showroom and a restaurant/takeaway.

"On the opposite side of Castle Street is Riverside Parish Church, and to the east the Council’s new Dumbarton town centre office is under construction."

However, stiff opposition has been made against the plans, as the report explains: "Five representations have been received, from a resident (who indicated that the representation was on behalf of the residents of all the flats in the tenement close), Jackie Baillie MSP (whose new office is around the corner on Church Street), the Riverside Parish Church, and from neighbouring café/takeaway and estate agency businesses."

It's understood they all object to the proposals for a variety of reasons including: "exacerbated" parking problems, an increased flow in traffic potentially increasing the risk of an accident and over provision of cafés and takeaways in the area as it is.

Other concerns include cooking odours emanating from the premises and affecting the flats above, as well as increased noise and disturbance for residents, especially if the café/takeaway was to open in the evenings.

The report goes on: "The submitted internal layout plan shows seating for 22 customers along with a display/service counter, kitchen, toilets and store.

"All access is by way of the existing front door onto Castle Street with a rear bin storage area through the adjacent close.

"The applicant has indicated that the café would operate 8am to 5pm on Mondays to Saturdays, and that it would sell breakfasts, soup, sandwiches, hot filled rolls, savoury bakes, home baking, desserts, tea and coffee for sitting-in or takeaway.

"A small amount of delicatessen sales would also take place.

"A non-venting carbon-filter extraction system would be installed."

Despite concerns from objectors, members of the planning committee are being advised to grant permission.

The report, in conclusion, states: "The proposed cafe is consistent with town centre policies and with the strategy of encouraging an active street frontage along Castle Street.

"The café would only operate through the daytime, and subject to its ventilation

being installed and maintained properly it should not give rise to a loss of amenity for the flats above.

"Although there is no dedicated parking, the net increase in parking demand would be insignificant in the context of the town centre, and there is access to public parking in the immediate area."