25 January 2024 , 14:47
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A Domino's Pizza takeaway could soon be opening in a town despite fierce opposition from residents - with one fearing "it could damage the small village image" and effect house prices.
The popular chain's plans to takeover a vacant High Street retail unit in Biddulph in North Staffordshire look set to be given the go-ahead, despite the opposition. Staffordshire Moorlands District Council's planning department is recommending the change of use application is rubber-stamped by the planning committee this evening.
More than 40 locals objected during the public consultation period, Stoke on Trent Live reports. Resident Claire Lawlor was among them, and stated: "Concerns it will negatively impact the communities local pizza shops. I fear it could damage the small village image and lower house prices." While Simon Ford wrote: "Biddulph is overrun with pubs and takeaways, planning was also rejected for a unit on the High Street for a pizza takeaway recently due to similar reasons, traffic, safety and anti social behaviour.
"Too many cars already using the town's one way system and more cars, customers and delivery drivers will only make things worse." Romani Anwar added: "There's a big problem and the area you choose is not good for this business. The reason is there's a main hub of pubs and takeaways so we don't want anything more here. Kindly stop this planning."
A planning report recommending approval states: "In this case it is evident that the retail unit and its adjacent neighbours have been vacant and unoccupied since they were provided with the supermarket development in 2010 - a period of more than 10 years. The applicant has submitted evidence to show that the unit has been marketed since 2021 and to that extent there have been efforts to secure a retail occupant.
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"Whilst the benefit to vitality and viability might be limited, overall there would be contribution to local economy and community in terms of job creation, competition, and diversity of consumer choice that would not be delivered while the unit remains vacant. The council should be mindful of the recent case that involved the premises at 95 High Street, Biddulph.
"In that case the council refused planning permission for a hot food takeaway, and successfully defended the decision at appeal. However, in those regards it is clear that the circumstances relevant to the current development proposal at Unit B are materially different to that recent case. Particularly, in the case of no. 95, the development would have resulted in a concentration of more than three adjacent non-retail uses and the applicant was unable to demonstrate that they had made efforts to market the p remises or secure a new retail occupant."
The report concludes: "The development would not result in a concentration of non-retail uses on a Local Plan designated ‘primary shopping frontage’. The proposed use would not be harmful to the character, vitality and viability of Biddulph’s town centre in this high street locality.
"The application has been provided with a site specific cooking smell abatement scheme demonstrating that adequate ventilation plant could be provided in a way that would not increase noise levels over background. The development should not harm the living conditions and amenity of residents or have an unacceptable impact on highway safety."