PLANS for a new ‘street food’ project in Boscombe are facing a delay.

StreetCube, a group of chefs and entrepreneurs who will be dispensing ‘sustainable’ street food from 10 foot shipping containers converted into professional kitchens, was due to be launched this Spring, with celebrity chef Ainsley Harriot due to appear.

However, organisers said their hopes of opening the first container on the corner opposite McDonalds in Christchurch Road had run into difficulties due to “lengthy council processes”.

A spokesman said: “The project has passed strict planning consent, following several months of consultation and modifications to the installation, it is now deemed safe and secure for public areas.

“Streetcube is now set to open any time soon, but the council have stalled, which risks losing the support of UNESCO and some big name chefs. We do appreciate that new concepts such as StreetCube, are very different to the regular burger vans or fast-food take-always and gazebo style street food stands, as they are more permanent containers that provide an altogether safer, cleaner environment for chefs to work from, which don’t blow away, and can be operated with more industry level of hygiene standards and cleanliness.

“What’s more, they can be locked safely at night, allowing for chefs to resume the following day without setting up again.

“The project could still open up this Spring, if the council can permit use of the land, as originally agreed. The latest processes could delay the start or even mean that the project needs to relocate.”

The spokesman said they may try to time the launch to match up with the Bournemouth Emerging Arts Fringe Festival this April.

Kelly Ansell, council head of communities and enforcement, said the council had requested a meeting to discuss the project. "The council is obliged to follow due process when considering proposals of this nature and resource implications must be carefully considered alongside the desired outcome."

Ultimately the group, a “collective “conceived by a small team of talented chefs”, plan to open four containers on the corner in Boscombe, offering different types of food.

Each would be equipped with gas, electricity, water and hygienic space to prepare, cook and serve food via hatches, as well as deliveries to homes and offices.

Anyone interested in getting involved with the project, particularly with heavy lifting gear, can visit streetcube.co.uk