Proposals to turn a vacant shop into a controversial takeaway have been rejected following a planning committee meeting on Tuesday (1).

Herts Advertiser: Councillors decided to vote agains the recommendations of the planning officerCouncillors decided to vote agains the recommendations of the planning officer (Image: Archant)

Plans were put forward to the council to turn retail premises in Wycombe Way, which is part of the Quadrant, Marshalswick, into a takeaway restaurant, and faced strong opposition from surrounding residents.

Twenty six of the 346 residents who were against the application were present at the St Albans planning meeting and councillors went against the recommendation of planning officers by denying permission.

If granted, the takeaway would have see the Quadrant become 55 per cent food establishments, which some councillors and residents feared would create an ‘imbalance’.

Sandridge parish councillor John Foster, said: “As a residential area what we don’t want is to create a city centre atmosphere. We don’t want a lot of activity that continues into the night and that’s what takeaways can do.”

Herts Advertiser: Councillors and residents were concerned about having too many takeaway shopsCouncillors and residents were concerned about having too many takeaway shops (Image: Archant)

Among the other issues raised by residents and councillors were the close proximity to schools, parking issues, rubbish disposal, lack of toilet facilities, and increased pressure on policing of the area.

Cllr Lyn Bolton told the meeting that the proposal for a new takeaway was “absolute nonsense” and Cllr Frances Leonard added she found it “very hard to see how it could be justified”.