A PENARTH councillor has raised “grave concerns” about plans for a mobile van selling refreshments at the top of Cliff Hill.

The street licensing application is to sell refreshments at the top of Cliff Hill near the seafront between 12pm and 5pm between March 29 and April 12.

The matter was discussed by Penarth Town Council earlier this month, with several councillors warning that a van selling burgers would be “out of keeping in the area” and saying that local residents would be “horrified” if the application was approved.

After seeing the plans for a mobile van selling refreshments local councillor Maureen Kelly-Owen warned that the siting of the van would be unsafe, increasing traffic problems in the area, and she had serious concerns over public health as the nearby public toilets were not close enough.

Cllr Kelly-Owen (Plymouth ward) has submitted her objections to both the leader of the Vale council, Councillor Neil Moore, as well as the council’s licensing department.

In a letter to Cllr Moore she said: “I was surprised that the Highways Department raised no objection to the siting of this commercial vehicle on the public highway, directly in front of a bus stop. Its position is also at the confluence of four pedestrian routes directly linking Marine Parade and Windsor Gardens with the Esplanade and the coastal path. In addition, it would be over the brow of the Beach Hill one way system, which has continuous parking on the left hand side of the road, already regarded by many as hazardous.”

She added: “My second serious concern is over public health. The public conveniences referred to in the application are clearly not close to the site, and serve the children’s playground and the pitch and putt golf course. It seems highly inappropriate to consider these public conveniences suitable for the use of vendors of food to the public.”

In her letter to the street licensing department she added: “My concerns are for safety, since I am not convinced that location is safe, especially when used by children; as it inevitably would be.

“The siting of such a van would inevitably increase traffic complications.

“That route is the only one leading south from the Esplanade and is well used; and not infrequently at some speed, by drivers for whom the Esplanade is seen as a convenient and pleasant alternative to both Plymouth and Westbourne Roads when travelling through or away from the Esplanade.

“This one-way route is also well used by very many local residents to avoid the hazardous hilly stretch of Bridgeman Road when returning from the town centre.”

She added she also had “major concern” about public health as she believed the nearby public conveniences were not close enough.

“The danger of any health hazard, of which we hear so much nowadays, is not to be countenanced,” she said.

“I request that this application should not be granted.”

The matter is set to be considered by the Vale council.