A kebab van owner described as a ‘pillar of the community’ has been granted permission to trade from a new plot.

Bilal Boztepe appealed for a new street trading licence on land to the South of Baird Road, Arborfield, after being moved on from the Royal British Legion on Eversley Road by its new landlord.

Having served customers for 14 years, Mr Boztepe bought land off Baird Road in a bid to stay operating.

A Wokingham Borough Council Licensing and Appeals Hearings Subcommittee met on Wednesday, October 23 to decide whether to grant the new application.

While 31 objections were raised by residents, 51 people wrote in favour of his application.

A petition in support of the takeaway van had also been signed by 746 people.

One of his supporters appeared at the subcommittee hearing last week, while another neighbour appeared to object, raising concerns about the impact on traffic on the surrounding roads.

Baird Road has faced more traffic, littering and antisocial behaviour since the opening of a Co-op food store, according to many objectors.

Ward member for Arborfield and Barkham, Councillor Adrian Betteridge, said he considered the proposed new location could ‘exacerbate’ these ‘existing issues’.

The Liberal Democrat added that the applicant has a ‘good reputation with many in the community’, and that he supports the continued trade, but in a different location.

But the applicant said they had plans to create a permanent car park on the land, which would create ‘a more organised parking solution’.

There would also be ‘nowhere near as much traffic’ at the new site – with an estimated five cars every hour – compared to more than 50 cars at the British Legion site.

Mr Boztepe also said he was willing to open later and close earlier to appease neighbours, with the van removed from the site overnight.

Lighting, CCTV and multiple bins would also be introduced to minimise antisocial behaviour and littering.

A neighbour said she had had ‘first hand’ experience of antisocial behaviour and that she considered by allowing the van the new plot it would get ‘so much worse’.

Another neighbour said that it was ‘absolutely not the right place to put the van’.

Despite concerns raised, the licensing subcommittee decided to grant the new trading licence.

This is on the condition that trading must stop at 11pm and that planning permission will be granted.