PLANS for the Italian restaurant Prezzo to open in Penarth town centre have been thrown into doubt.

The chain wanted to move into the former Spar store, creating up to 20 full and part-time jobs, but a Vale Council planning officer says he is “mindful to refuse” the planning application.

Owners of the former Spar store, based on Windsor Road, have said they are “deeply disappointed” by the council’s stance after the Prezzo planning application received backing from local residents and no objections.

Prezzo had been hoping to spend £750,000 renovating the premises and to open before Christmas, creating 15 full-time jobs and five part-time posts, with 120 covers and dinning on the ground and first floor.

It had been expected that the application made by Prezzo for change of use from A1 to A3, which was submitted in August, would be approved as a delegated matter, particularly in light of the fact that it was not viewed as contentious.

A Vale Council spokesman said no decision had been made on the planning application which is due to go before the planning committee on November 20.

But in an email to representatives of Prezzo a Vale planning officer said he is “mindful to refuse” the application with the decision backed by Penarth Councillor Lis Burnett.

She says “as a a life-long resident of Penarth” and with “direct experience of retail with the town centre” she fully supports the stance.

Cabinet member for Regeneration, Innovation, Planning and Transportation, Cllr Burnett, has also called in the application to the Vale Council’s planning committee and recommended that Prezzo moves into the former Blockbuster premises on Hickman Road instead.

The planning officer has told Prezzo he has “concerns” over the impact of the plans on the town centre, and that although it maintains an “acceptable” number of retail shops (classed as A1) it is “already experiencing the initial signs of decline as a relatively high number of the uses comprise charity shops, betting shops as well as other A3 (restaurant and takeaway) uses”.

He added: “If approved the current application would result in a significant block of A3 uses within what is currently a dispersed frontage with a range of uses and shop fronts which would again be to the detriment of the district centre.”

But the representatives of Prezzo have said there are only two charity shops on the side of the road in question, and Bar 44 was granted planning permission just two years ago.

The landlords of the former Spar store said: “We are deeply disappointed with the current stance taken by the Vale of Glamorgan Council in relation to Prezzo’s planning application submitted in August. The consultation period ended at the end of September with only one objection from a local business, Bar 44, which was withdrawn, and none from local residents.

“We have heard of no other negative feedback in relation to Prezzo’s planned opening and the Penarth Times article on September 4 confirmed this. Penarth Town Council also welcomed the application and viewed it as positive in light of its job creation and the additional attraction it would create in Penarth.

“The building requires significant investment and Prezzo as tenants have the funds available to ensure one of the most prominent buildings on Windsor Road will be enhanced and properly utilised with a superb first floor dining space.”