Food for thought

SIR, - Your readers may be unaware of an appeal to the Secretary of State by Domino Pizza Group Ltd to open a takeaway at 28 Station Road, Harpenden. The planning application was turned down by both Harpenden Town Council and St Albans District Council.

The lingerie/swimwear shop Chiffon (at 26 Station Road) is fighting for the third time to stop this becoming a food outlet. The first time the owners wished to open an Indian restaurant. This went to appeal but was withdrawn at the last minute.

The second time Subway opened - it is not necessary to change the class from A1 retail for a sandwich outlet. Now the planning application is for change of use from A1 Retail to A5 takeaway.

Retailers in Station Road are struggling as more retail vacancies have become restaurants. Soon the public will only visit Station Road in the evening to eat at a restaurant.

The town and district councils appreciate this fact and turned the application down on grounds of "loss of a retail shop unit which is detrimental to the vitality and viability of shopping in Station Road", "cumulative adverse environmental impact on Station Road" and "loss of an historic shop front".

Chiffon is appealing to the residents of Harpenden to write to the Secretary of State to recommend this appeal is refused. Station Road has reached saturation point with 14 restaurants/takeaways/cafes resulting in a serious loss of "foot-fall".

We know what busy lives people lead these days but please could residents take a few minutes to put pen to paper. The deadline to receive letters is Tuesday, February 17, and the address is: Secretary of State, The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3/16, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol BS1 6PN (quote reference APP/B1930/A/09/2093452/NWF).

Alternatively there is an online appeals service which can be found at www.planningportal.gov.uk/pcs

JUDITH BAILEY (and staff),

Chiffon, Station Road, Harpenden.