Protesters' delight at takeaway victory
CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after plans for a fourth takeaway close to their village centre were thrown out by the city council.
Norton residents collected 250 signatures on a petition against plans to create a late-opening fish and chip shop on Knypersley Road.
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Andrea Edwards
They said another takeaway was not needed because there are already three within a few hundred yards of the village centre.
Families also lobbied the council to change its policy to limit the number of takeaways in communities.
Campaign leader Andrea Edwards, whose Silver Street home backs on to the proposed chip shop, said: "I am over the moon that the council listened to us, I've spoken to many people who are very pleased.
"We don't want shops that provide a service to the community to end up closing because all the other shops are takeaways and no-one goes there to shop during the day."
Council officials refused the application because it "would increase activity, noise and disturbance later in the evenings to the detriment of nearby residents".
Neighbourhood police also objected to the idea, stating: "It is our belief that if the application is granted it will lead to even more anti-social behaviour in the area and impinge badly on the lives of residents and businesses."
But applicant Joe Laforte now plans to appeal the decision.
The 53-year-old argues he canvassed support from nearby residents before submitting the plans and many were in favour of a traditional chippy.
He adds that the only similar facilities nearby are a Chinese restaurant on Endon Road and a fish and chip shop about a mile away in Ball Green.
Mr Laforte, of Brindley Ford, is this week completing a door-to-door survey of opinion in the area, hoping to back up his belief that a traditional fish and chip shop would be a "valuable amenity in the heart of the village".
He said: "There's no issue with parking, according to the highways department, and high-tech air vents can eliminate any smell.
"We are talking about a traditional fish and chip shop, not a fast food pizza or kebab house and it's something I believe is needed.
"I don't think the petition was fair. I would be using a building that is currently standing empty, creating eight jobs, and I will keep fighting."
But residents say they will fight any plans for more takeaways in the village.
Ms Edwards said: "If Mr Laforte does go ahead with his appeal, we will fight it at every stage."
Stoke-on-Trent City Council has now set up a review to look at whether high numbers of takeaways in some areas are affecting residents' health.
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