A FINE-DINING restaurant's design plans have been dashed over concerns it could lead to a rise in illegal parking.

Architects for the un-named restaurant, Tru-Plan Design Limited, submitted plans to build a glass-enclosed seating area for its new Crowthorne High Street site which is taking over the former home of Tripple BBB’s Smokehouse, following its closure last year.

This would be for diners at the back of the current premises, using up five parking spaces.

Bracknell Forest Council planning officers have refused the plans on the basis that the loss of space for cars could lead to a rise in illegal parking.

Highway officers, who were consulted on the decision, said the displacement of cars would have an ‘adverse effect on the efficient operation of the public highway network’.

This was especially the case as the restaurant would require frequent deliveries and bin collections to the rear of the existing building.

In the refusal statement, the council also noted that the development would affect the residents in neighbouring properties.

It would result in a loss of privacy, which would negatively impact those living in Wellesley Villas.

Council officers also said that the crowded nature of the proposed development would be ‘detrimental to the character and appearance of the area’.

This is the second planning application to have issues raised for the new restaurant, which is yet to be given a name.

In July, members of Bracknell Forest Council’s licencing committee met to discuss whether the restaurant could play live music until late – an unpopular proposal for neighbours.

The restauranteurs were granted permission to play live music and serve alcohol on Tuesday, July 23.

Owners originally applied for a licence to play live music, consisting of incidental saxophone or violin performances, until 11:45pm.

However, planning permission for the eatery sets out the opening hours of 12pm to 11pm, meaning that the requirement of a ‘late night’ application was no longer necessary.

Those living nearby the premises had complained to the council over noise and disruption concerns, both based on the music and the selling of alcohol.

One neighbour, Vinesh Dowlutta, attended the meeting, and expressed his concern that cars may become ‘stacked up in our carpark’.

False rumours of a ‘resident DJ’ had been spread by some neighbours, according to lawyer for the owners, Louis Stelling.

He added that owners were ‘aware and sympathetic to the concerns of local residents’, and happy to engage with them as the opening of the restaurant continues to progress.