PLANS to refurbish a fast-food restaurant in High Wycombe have been approved after a two-year wait – but the owners have been urged to ensure it is properly ventaliated to avoid causing unpleasant smells.

Chicken shop Pepe’s Piri Piri has been granted retrospective permission by Buckinghamshire Council for a new extractor fan system at its restaurant at 25 White Hart Street as well as a new grill and shopfront.

But the council’s environmental protection team warned Pepe’s that it needed to consider how the nature of its cooking may result in ‘odour and or grease’ to those living nearby.

Planners have also approved the grilled chicken shop chain’s plans to install a grill, external ducting and a new shopfront at the site, as well as change the use of the building to a restaurant.

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In a separate planning application, Pepe’s has also now been given retrospective permission to put up two illuminated signs at the chicken shop.

The approval of the plans comes after a council heritage officer took issue with the originally proposed shopfront, noting that the restaurant was located within the High Wycombe Conservation Area.

They said of the previous plans: “The proposed shop front is a modern full height glazed shopfront with an aluminium frame.

“This would further erode the traditional appearance of the conservation area and setting of the other heritage assets.”

The council’s environmental protection officers also warned Pepe’s that it needed to consider how the nature of its cooking may result in ‘odour and or grease’.

They said: “The applicant shall need to consider whole building ventilation to provide an adequate air supply whilst extracting any fumes, and or semi combusted gases.”

Pepe’s, which operates 195 stores nationally, moved into its current High Wycombe premises in 2022.

Before being occupied by Pepe’s, number 25 White Hart Street was previously a Thomas cook travel agents.

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