A PROPOSAL to sell freshly-baked pizza and drinks from a stall in Budleigh Salterton has been turned down by the town council.

A PROPOSAL to sell freshly-baked pizza and drinks from a stall in Budleigh Salterton has been turned down by the town council.

The members agreed Leo Curtis' application to sell food from a mobile food unit in the town would be inappropriate in Budleigh.

East Devon District Council told Mr Curtis there were no barred areas in the town for such a proposal.

Budleigh Salterton ward member councillor Steve Hall said: "It's an extremely poor application considering we had one that was far more detailed in the past and we had reason to turn that down."

Councillor Caz Sismore-Hunt said: "I am dead against this. We have got traders in the town who are paying business rates.

"I am dead against anyone setting stalls up in the town.

"They did this in Lyme Regis and it fell by the wayside."

Councillor Tom Wright said: "We are in a difficult position because East Devon District Council said there's no block against it.

"I totally agree, it is not something we would wish to see on our seafront."

Mr Curtis, of Boyne Road, told the town council he hoped to operate a mobile food unit.

He said the manually-operated cart, approximately 2m x 1.5m, would hold a gas oven, fridge and coffee machine.

In a letter to the council outlining his business plan, Mr Boyne said he aimed to sell freshly-baked pizza and hot and cold drinks.

He said he had contacted the district council with his proposal, where he was told to approach Budleigh town council.

Mr Boyne said: "I have contacted East Devon District Council and they have informed me that there are no prohibited areas in Budleigh Salterton for mobile food stalls to operate except on private and council property.

"However EDDC advised me to contact Budleigh Salterton Town Council to learn more about where an acceptable place to operate might be.

"I have also contacted the Food Standards Agency to take the right steps towards setting up legally and efficiently."

In August 2009 the town council turned down an application to set up a weekend Lime Kiln car park selling griddled fish.

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