PLANS to open another fish and chip shop in Castle Bromwich have been given the go-ahead, despite concerns about the glut of takeaways in the surrounding area.
The plans to open a chippy in Hurst Lane had worried residents and local councillors, who argued
there were already 17 other fast food outlets in the local community.
One of the existing takeaways, a short walk away, had gone as far as to start a petition against the proposals – collecting 400 signatures.
Appealing to the council to reject the latest application, they said: “Our family has run a fish and chip shop on Chester Road for 48 years and there are now lots of other hot food outlets in the area – we are losing footfall as these shops are much the same.”
Councillor Gail Sleigh (Con,Castle Bromwich) argued that there was already a sufficient number of takeaways to meet local people’s needs.
The number of takeaways in Solihull has been the subject of fierce debate for some time.
In 2013, plans to build a KFC on the Stratford Road, Shirley led to protests; one local family was so appalled they actually moved house.
Last autumn there was another heated debate about opening a takeaway in Rathlin Croft, Smith’s Wood.
In response, Solihull Council has started to draft clearer guidelines about the number of food outlets which should be allowed to open in main shopping areas.
Although the policy is yet to be finalised and had no bearing on this particular application.
Planning officers had said that the new chip shop would mean that three out of eight units along the parade would be takeaways, but this was not considered an excessive amount.
Councillors noted residents’ objections but agreed to grant permission for the change of use.
- What do you think? Email theothersideofsolihull@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
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