A DECISION to approve plans to for a new takeaway in Penketh has been met with anger.

Developers submitted proposals to open a takeaway in a vacant shop on Warrington Road, which was formerly home to an off licence and a bridal shop.

The council’s development management committee passed the application to change the use of the site from a shop to a takeaway during its virtual meeting on Wednesday.

The premises has been vacant for some time.

The unit will open until 11pm from Monday to Saturday and until 10.30pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

Committee member Cllr Les Morgan raised concerns over the plans.

He said: “I think there are far too many food takeaways in this area, I sympathise with the residents.”

Fellow committee member Cllr Judith Wheeler said: “I am struggling a bit with this one because I don’t like empty shops, I think the impression on the local area is not a good one and they can stand empty for years.

“I am trying to think what is the difference between granting permission to this and the presence of an off licence, which was there previously, in terms of parking.

“I think despite the best filtration systems you would always get odours from the premises.”

Penketh resident Mary Ross reacted with the disappointment after members voted to approve the application.

She said: “Warrington Borough Council (WBC) has a 19-page document on health and wellbeing and yet the development management committee has just 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 and section seven on page 10 of the document stating WBC needs to address the proliferation of these establishments.

“Parking is already a major problem on Warrington Road but none of these things were considered by the committee because they did not make a site visit.”