A TAKEAWAY pizza delivery business has been given permission to extend its opening hours when it moves to larger premises in Old Town, despite objections from neighbours, councillors and the police.

Domino’s Pizza wanted to be able to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, when it moves to new premises two doors down the High Street.

But after hearing that it could lead to an increase in anti-social behaviour, Swindon Council’s licensing committee decided it should only be allowed to open until 1am Monday to Thursday, and 3am from Friday to Sunday, and make home deliveries until 3am each day.

Coun Mike Bawden (Con, Old Town and Lawn) told the committee there was a ‘continuous problem of anti-social behaviour in Old Town’. He said: “If you have more people hanging about you have a greater chance of those people causing a problem,” he said.

“We are very, very concerned about the pressure on Old Town and the way it is building up.”

He said a planning application for a restaurant and takeaway nearby was turned down by a planning inspector who did not think there should be any more takeaways the area.

Police licensing officer Sian Kalynka said that the police thought 3am was a better time for the restaurant to close and recommended they install CCTV and be made to employ door staff to prevent trouble at the weekends.

Neighbour Sue Benfield, of Pipers Residents’ Association, said many Domino’s customers went into the nearby park to eat, causing noise and disturbance to the residents of The Pinnacle. and delivery drivers caused a nuisance by revving engines and slamming doors.

Norman Doughty, who also lives in The Pinnacle, said he was forced to wear ear plugs and keep his windows closed due to their noise.

John Smith, solicitor for Domino’s, said there was a difference between the time they served food over the counter and the time they wanted to be able to make home deliveries. He said the franchisee, Siggy Wilberg, had run the restaurant in Swindon for 20 years without any major problems.

“There are a lot of other late-night premises in the area so we will not be creating something that is not already there,” he added.

The new premises would have eight CCTV cameras, two panic alarms, and key pad entry and sliding doors to the service yard to prevent doors from banging.

Vera Tomlinson, who chaired the committee, added conditions that door supervisors be employed from Friday to Sunday between 1am and 3am and that delivery drivers not use Charlotte Mews except for access to their service yard.