ITALIAN restaurant chain Prezzo is set to be granted planning permission to open in the former Spar store on Windsor Road.

The plans were thrown into doubt after a planning officer said he was ‘mindful to refuse’ the planning application last month.

He had raised concerns about the number of restaurants in the area and warned that the town centre was “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”.

But the Vale council’s planning committee is set to approve the change of use planning application from retail to restaurant, as well as a new shopfront and fume extraction, next Thursday, November 20.

Councillors from Penarth Town Council had supported the plans, saying that the town centre could become a "Mecca for discerning diners and tourists”.

The Vale council received five letters in representation, including three in favour, and two in objection that were subsequently withdrawn.

A report set to go before the planning committee concludes that the town centre’s “viability and vitality relies on units being in occupation” and that due to the high rent demands it is unlikely that anyone other than a large chain retailer could occupy the premises, with the acting agents confirming the site has been marketed by them since June 2013 with little or no interest.

It states: “The loss of an A1 unit is regrettable and non-retail uses are discouraged, especially those that result in two non-retail frontages together in order to discourage ‘dead frontages’.

“However, it is considered that the merits of this case are unique, given the size of the unit and the occupier/offering being proposed it is considered on this occasion despite policy objections that the proposed use could be accommodated on this site subject to conditions ensuring the site remains with an active frontage and relates to the specific characteristics of the national chain retailer who is the applicant to the application.”

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

The report adds that the application could provide economic benefits and employment to the town centre, and would result in a vacant unit being occupied and jobs being created.

The report also warns there is a risk that the premises could be used for other A3 uses, and states that permission should restrict takeaway use.

Conditions for approval include that external areas, including the rear yard, are not used outside of 9am and 9.30pm; the restaurant complies with opening hours of 8.30am until 11.30pm between Sunday and Thursday, and 8.30am and 12.30am Friday and Saturday; that the premises is used for no purpose other than a licensed restaurant; the premises shall not be used for singing, dancing, the playing of any kind

of music, or other forms of public entertainment other than the playing of background music; and the premises is not used for takeaway, stand alone bar or as a pub.

Deliveries must also be between 7am and 7pm Monday to Saturday.

The application will be considered by the Vale council planning committee at the Civic Offices at 6pm on Thursday, November 20.