ANGRY residents have lost a battle to block proposals for a hot food takeaway shop in Warrington Road, Penketh.
Members of Warrington’s development management committee have approved the plans to change the use of a former bridal shop.
Ten nearby residents had objected to the scheme, backed by local borough councillors David Keane and Linda Dirir and by Penketh Parish Council.
They argued that Penketh already had too many takeaway food shops and that increased use of the shop – which is currently disused – will cause parking and highway safety problems.
They also fear cooking smells, noise, vermin and anti-social behaviour issues.
The shop is in a small parade which also includes a hairdressers and a beauty salon. A short distance away there are two public houses, a convenience store and an existing hot food takeaway.
Planning officers argued that the shop – which has also previously been an off licence – is currently not contributing anything to the local community or economy and should be brought back into use.
They said the change of use would not harm the amenity of nearby homes and should be allowed.
After the meeting an angry neighbour said: “Warrington Borough Council has a 19 page document on Health and Well Being and yet the Development Management Committee has given planning permission for an empty shop unit in Penketh to be used as yet another hot food takeaway, despite Penketh already having at least 10. Seection 7 on page 10 of the document states WBC needs to consider the proliferation of these establishments!
“To add insult to injury the committee was given inaccurate information about the site of this shop. It is in a block of three – the other two are a beauty salon, the other a hairdressers. This group of shops is tucked in a row of residential properties with a family home immediately next door, another immediately behind the premises and a family sized flat above the adjoining shop.
“Parking is already a major problem on Warrington Rd but none of these things were considered by the committee because they did not make a site visit. Because the meeting was held online nobody objecting to the proposal was allowed to join the conversation yet the planner representing the council put her case. This was undemocratic and unfair!”
