Noise concerns around Papa John's proposed extended hours

Papa John’s in Colman Road has been battling for more than a year to stay open until 4am but has encountered regular objections from people living near the site over the noise they say delivery drivers will make.

The pizza giant’s original plans submitted in 2022 were rejected due to these concerns, but a new application was submitted this year after a noise assessment found that the nighttime noise impact would be “low”.

But people living in the houses nearby say there are other restaurants next to the Papa John’s including a Domino’s Pizza and Chinese takeaway that could also submit similar applications if the plans are approved.

NEIGHBOURS NOT HAPPY

Sarah Mason, 69, lives opposite the row of shops and said: "I’m not happy about it at all and think it’s completely unnecessary.

"If this one goes through the other takeaway chains there will also want to stay open later as well.

"It’s worrying what could happen if the new plans are approved because we won’t have a leg to stand on to object to it.

Papa John's re-submitted a fresh application to extend its delivery service hours to 4am (Image: Newsquest)

"The bikes and mopeds will cause so many issues in the early hours.

"I'm recovering from sepsis in my leg and a huge part of it is getting rest, because fatigue is a big thing which affects me.

"With my bedroom being so close to the road I'm worried I won't be able to get the rest I need."

Wendy Ablett, who lives in North Park Avenue, near Papa John's, added: "It doesn't need to be open until 4am.

"It's silly - who's getting a pizza at that time of night anyway.

"I think one of the other takeaways tried to apply for later hours but thankfully that got refused.

"However if Papa John's has its plan approved then what's to stop the other shops putting in a similar application to stay open."

Sarah Mason who lives opposite Papa John's said she's worried she won't get enough rest to help her recovery from her multiple ailments (Image: Newsquest)

Trevor Neil also lives in North Park Avenue and added: "I don’t agree with it at all.

"There’s a lot of older people living around here, so we don’t want to get constantly woken up.

"The problem is once permission is given to one company, everyone will want it and there willl be no reason for the council not to allow it then."

THE PLANS

An initial application for extended hours submitted in December 2022 was blocked after concerns were raised over noise issues.

However the new bid to have its delivery services stay open longer happened after a hearing by the licencing team granted it permission to operate until this time.

This ruling paved the way for the firm to make another application to Norwich City Council, despite the authority turning down its original request last year.

Wendy Ablett said Papa John's doesn't need to be open so late (Image: Newsquest)

This time a noise assessment was also carried out between July 18 and 19, by company Peak Acoustics, to determine whether people are likely to "suffer a loss of amenity as a result of noise" from the proposed extension.

The conclusion of the assessment predicted the nighttime noise impact would be "low" at the site.

APPLICATION OBJECTORS

There have also been fresh objections on the city council's application, concerned about the noise and disruption the extended hours would bring.

One objector said: "This would cause noise and disturbance to those who live nearby.

"At present the opening hours in the parade of shops doesn't extend beyond midnight, nor should it, bearing in mind the closeness to people's properties.

"We should be entitled to a good night's sleep."

Another objection added: "The shops are not in a late-night activity area, such as Riverside, where establishments are often open into the early hours.

"The delivery drivers and their vehicles would cause significant noise at a time when there would be little or no other noise, even from the Ring Road."

An internal recommendation date by the case officer for the plans is set for October 22.

Papa John's in Colman Road (Image: Newsquest)