FEARS have been raised over litter and noise from a proposed new pizza takeaway in Royal Wootton Bassett.

Papa John’s wants to build a new outlet behind Mulberrys Retirement Apartments.

But people living in the apartments are unhappy. They were shocked to receive a letter detailing the construction of a pizza take out behind their garden fence.

The hedge separating the site and residents' garden is 1m wide and the boundary is around 12m from residents' bedroom windows.

But the planning application said: “We understand that there are no residential properties within the immediate vicinity of the site.”

From the proposed floor plans it appears that Papa John’s may need to take rubbish bins out through the kitchen or via the residents' garden. And waste is a key concern for those living nearby.

Ivy Arthur, of The Mulberrys, said: “This application has deliberately set out to mislead the planning department by stating that the unit is not close to any residential accommodation. The Mulberrys where I live is immediately connected to the proposed unit.

“There is no suitable access to the rear of the building for storage of waste or deliveries of goods.

"The likely opening hours of the unit will create severe disturbance to the residents in the this peaceful and enjoyable location.

“The noise, smell and risk of litter and other pollutants will severely impact on the residents life.”

Nicholas Botterill, of Sheylors Farm, said: “To the rear of the property there a number of residential properties including a retirement home containing vulnerable elderly residents in close proximity.

“The intended use of the rear by the applicant will involve significant noise and disturbance at all times of the day and quite late into the night as well as the storage of refuse and waste with consequent noise and rodent/pest issues.”

Papa John’s says the unit would have three deliveries a week from 7.5 and 10-tonne lorries. And a10m extraction chimney, cold store, fans, catering freezers, and 10 staff are part of the plans.

Councillor Sue Hughes said: “This is not how we want our most precious and vulnerable residents to spend their golden years. We welcome business and jobs, but not at the expense of the elderly and vulnerable when the plans don’t even seem to be practical”

Wiltshire Council will make the final decision October 29.