A PORTLAND take-away which fought for two-years to remain at Weston Road has moved to Easton Square.

The business is now asking planners in a retrospective planning application to continue trading there.

Portland Town Council says there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour in the area since the business opened.

Residents close to A J’s Pizza in Weston claimed the business attracted anti-social youngsters who were noisy, abusive and on one occasion pushed food through the letterbox of a resident who complained.

Eventually it lost a planning appeal against Dorset Council’s refusal on changes to the Weston Road property.

A Planning Inspector decided in the council’s favour, rejecting the case put forward by the owner of AJ’s Pizza, Mr Cengiz Zorel.

A neighbour who campaigned against the changes to the business, previously a popular restaurant until the owners retired,  said he and others in the area were delighted by the decision – but said that it had taken Dorset Council too long to resolve.

The Planning Inspector, Alison Fish, who visited the site, comments in her summary that residents nearby should have “a reasonable expectation of peace and quiet in their own homes” and said that since the conversion from a restaurant/café there had been “a marked change in the level of disturbance experienced by local residents.”

The Inspector said all the physical changes to the building were contrary to policies to protect the Conservation Area.

The business has now applied to retain the use of a unit on the corner of Easton Square and the Easton Centre shopping arcade which it opened during the third week in July.

Said Portland Town Council in its response to the application: “The applicant appears to have repeated previous mistakes within the planning system, such as applying for permissions retrospectively. The signage that has been put up is out of proportion and inappropriate for a Conservation Area. There are also concerns about the extractor unit, which appears to be held together with duct tape. The opening hours differ from the previous business, with this now staying open until 11.00pm. Since the takeaway opened, there has been an increase in antisocial behaviour.”

A Portland resident, living at The Straits, has commented that the area already has several take-aways with the new business likely to affect the trade of those already in place.

The application, as submitted to Dorset Council which remains open for public comment until November 8th - P/FUL/2024/05693 : 40 Easton Square Portland DT5 1BY. Retain use of Unit 12 as hot food takeaway & retain fascia sign.