PLANS for all-night deliveries by a pizza restaurant have been branded a “public nuisance" by Southend Council’s environmental health team.

Station Pizza and Wine Store, in Station Road, Westcliff, wants to open from midday to 11pm Sunday to Thursday, and until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

Additionally, a licensing hearing heard on Friday, there would be deliveries of food and alcohol from 11pm to 5am each day.

A number of objections - mainly concerning noise - were raised, including from Southend Council’s environmental health department and residents.

Environmental health officer Paul Pearse said: “Environmental health strongly believes that all aspects of this application will not safeguard the amenity by way of noise.

“We believe it will cause a public nuisance which is in contravention of the obligation to prevent public nuisance laid down by the Licensing Act.”

Concerns were raised over noise coming from the premises during the night as staff prepared meals, as delivery drivers came and went, and from necessary ventilation systems.

Speaking on behalf of applicant Sanjeev Kumar, Suresh Kanapathipillai from Arka Licensing said: “The premises haven’t been used for two to three years and he’s investing some money to bring that back to life. It’s a very small premises. It has a small kitchen.”

Mr Kanapathipillai said a noise management system would be put in place, with doors and windows closed at night and no glass or plate collections between 10pm and 8am.

In addition signs would be put up inside and outside the premises urging customers to limit noise, and delivery vehicles would mostly be electric.

The restaurant would have a capacity to cater for up to 10 customers inside and 10 outside.

The agent also said any residential properties were some distance from the premises Mr Pearse, disagreed, adding: “I do not consider that the delivery service proposed by this application can be operated without causing a public nuisance to the properties which are very nearby and very vulnerable.

“The area is very quiet at night. There’s very little in the way of traffic movement.

“If people are kept awake by the operations of this site it will cause sleep deprivation and that is a known public health issue.”

Southend Council will issue an ruling on the bid in due course.