COUNCILLORS have flipped over a proposed burger van in Ledbury town centre saying it will attract “undesirables”

and hit trade.

The issue was debated by town councillors and several expressed strong views that a burger and fast food van is for other towns, not for Ledbury.

They also fear it could pose a fire risk to historic buildings such as the Market House.

Coun Annette Crowe, a Homend trader, said: “I am totally against this coming into the town, when there are plenty of hard-working people in cafes and restaurants who are struggling to make a living.

“I see no reason why we should accept this van.”

Coun Derek Durham, a charter market trader, added: “This could bring trouble to the town, and no one around the Market House would approve of this.

It could bring undesirables in.” Former Ledbury mayor, Coun Phill Bettington said: “With the town’s CCTC coverage now going to be very limited, I can see that, if this goes ahead, the anti-social behaviour will go up, I fear, and I support the traders of this town at the moment.”

But Coun Bob Ridler, chairing the meeting said he was worried by unsubstantiated claims that the presence of the van could “accentuate wrong behaviour”.

But referring to the van, he said: “This would be totally out of keeping with the character of the town, and also be a fire risk. It's totally inappropriate.”

Coun Tony Bradford also called for firm reasons to oppose the application, under accepted planning procedure.

He said: “We need to state reasons to object. We can't just object.”

Councillors voted on a proposal to recommend refusal to Herefordshire Council on the grounds that approval would set a precedent for the High Street; there was no economic need for the van; it would be to the detriment for the setting of historic buildings, such as the Market House; and it would pose a fire risk to those buildings because of the use of LPG canisters for cooking.

The vote was unamimously in favour for recommending refusal for the van.

The final decision lies with Herefordshire Council.

The applicant is Onder Karukulah of Dursley, who already holds a street trading licence for the South Gloucestershire area.

In his application to Herefordshire Council he stated: “Due to the economic climate being slow, sadly my business is not doing so well.

“So I am looking for a new area to start again.”

However, he declined to make any comment to the Ledbury Reporter.