A SOUTHERN Drive neighbourhood dispute could leave a mobile food van business thousands of dollars out of pocket.
Sathish Kumar lives at 33 Southern Drive and operates Spice Odysee food van which is approved by the City of Busselton.
Mr Kumar told council his van was not suitable for extended food preparation and would like to create a commercial cooking facility within half of the outbuilding located at the rear of his home.
Council have been asked to approve Mr Kumar’s request for a residential enterprise permit at Wednesday night’s meeting.
Under the residential enterprise requirements Mr Kumar’s shed can operate between the hours of 8am to 6pm on weekdays and 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.
Hours of cooking can be between 9am to 12pm on weekends and 9am to 5pm on weekdays.
The application was also given to Mr Kumar’s neighbours for comment, one neighbour objected to the planning application being granted.
According to the neighbour, cooking smells was her greatest concern.
The woman requested that restrictions be placed on cooking times and no commercial traffic be permitted. She remains concerned with the proposal and would prefer it not be approved.
During the community access meeting on January 21 Susan Walsh addressed the council as the daughter of the neighbour who objected to Mr Kumar’s application.
According to Ms Walsh the outbuilding located at the rear of Mr Kumar’s property is within metres of her mother’s property creating cooking smells and noise.
Representing Mr Kumar at the public question time was another direct neighbour who has no objection to the planning application.
He told council the issue had been ongoing for 12 months with Mr Kumar spending $30,000 on works to the outbuilding.
“Mr Kumar has has co-operated with the city and his neighbours all the way through and he is now confused about why there is an issue,” Mr Kumar’s neighbour said.
“He has tried to do the right thing.
“However, can he still operate a business with the recommendation restrictions, yes he can.”
Council will vote for or against the recommendation January 28.