Concerns over new takeaway

PLANS to open a new town centre takeaway have been approved - despite concerns from local traders.

A number of businesses already operating around the Smithfield Centre in Leek raised concerns about plans to turn the empty unit, on Ashbourne Road, into a hot food takeaway.

The unit, sitting between Beyond the Pale and the Laurel Inn Chinese Restaurant, is currently vacant.

Now planners at Staffordshire Moorlands District Council have approved the plans, submitted by ‘Mrs Nadarasa’ earlier this year.

The application is for the business to be open from 10am until 2am Sunday to Thursday and 10am until 3.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

In a design and access statement supporting the application the developer said: “It sits within a small parade of shops which includes a mix of retail and other town centre uses such as banks and restaurants, although the majority remain in retail use.

“The lawful use of the application site is not A1 (retail) and its proposed use as a hot food takeaway is also a town centre use which would be complimentary to other uses such as retail.

“In addition it should be noted that the existing vacant unit is one of 4 within the short promenade of units and the proposed development would bring one of these back into a viable economic use.”

However a number of owners of nearby businesses objected to the plans - citing concerns about parking and Leek town centre not needing another takeaway.

Mr Yusein, of Turkish Delight, wrote in his objection that: “We are very concerned it will affect directly our trade as a late night takeaway as to many in our town.

“It’s hard to make business anyway, which can result job losses or closure of our establishment after 25 years.”

Hakem Hatam, from Poundcastle, added the plan would create more traffic congestion and extra littering.