Residents object to planning application for takeaway

Photo: Google, DigitalGlobe

Over 30 residents have objected to plans to change 'Exotic Spice' to a takeaway

Over 30 Middleton residents have objected to a planning application proposing a new takeaway on Market Place where the Exotic Spice restaurant used to be.

The application is a proposed change of use from a restaurant to a fast food takeaway, changing the classification from A3 (for the sale of food and drink for consumption on the premises - restaurants, snack bars and cafés) to A5 (for the sale of hot food for consumption off the premises- hot food takeaways).

The plans, largely for internal refurbishment, also propose including the formation of a new door opening and installation of new extraction flue to the rear elevation.

However, residents have voiced their concerns that they feel there are simply too many takeaways already in the town.

Colette Wagstaffe said: “The proposal would not improve the economic, social and environmental conditions of the area, nor does it comply with the development plan. Therefore it does not comprise sustainable development.

“The change of use would result in an overconcentration of hot food takeaway uses within the local area, specifically along Long Street, Market Place, Lodge Street and Townley Street, where the proposed use would result in at least 23% of ground floor units being within an A5 use, exceeding the council’s 20% threshold.

“The proposal is contrary to the Unitary Development Plan Policies S/5 (Development Elsewhere in Town Centres) and S/10 (Food and Drink Outlets) and the council’s adopted Supplementary Planning Document: Guidelines and Standards for Hot Food Takeaway Uses.

“This area is currently an unattractive and unpleasant area of town with strong food smells and a regular accumulation of litter due to the existing takeaways, despite being on the edge of the important and historical conservation area. Steps should be being made to improve the area; the only way this can happen to encourage more diversity and variety of retail trade and choice for the shopper, which will only happen if some of these places were closed down. It certainly won’t happen by allowing even more of the same.”

Taxi driver David Bird said: “Ridiculous consideration. As a taxi driver, I constantly pass the large number of takeaways in town and see that most are struggling for customers most of the time. They are a blight on town centres, especially as they tend to be closed during normal trading hours, opening evenings, only looking unsightly.

"Middleton needs building as it’s struggling, so rather than more fast food shops, let’s have some diversity.”

Christopher Etherington said: “There are really more than enough of this kind of outlet. In fact, Middleton is saturated with them. Especially in and around Market Place. Enough is enough.”

Peter Cosgrove commented: "Residents are heartily sick and tired of the volume of takeaway food premise. It is now becoming a serious blight on the integrity of town itself. By allowing this situation to continue, the Council is completely lowering the tone of varying rows of street premises in the centre, bringing rubbish, smells and various unsavoury elements at all hours to Middleton streets.”