Takeaway to open in Shropshire village despite objections

Applicant Chris Northall has been granted planning permission by Shropshire Council to convert a former shop in Shrewsbury Road, Cockshutt, near Ellesmere, into a new hot food takeaway.

Mr Northall said the shop had been vacant and on the market for more than 18 months.

He said the proposals will bring back into use a vacant building and also provide one full time and six part time jobs for local residents.

It is currently proposed the takeaway will be open from 11.30am until 9pm, Monday to Saturday.

Cockshutt-cum-Patton Parish Council objected to the scheme due to concerns about potential volume of passing trade obstructing the main road as there is limited parking.

They also said that Shropshire Council has acknowledged there is an issue with the speed traffic flows through the village along the A528 and a traffic-calming scheme is in the process of being implemented.

The parish council said the combination of speeding vehicles and lack of visibility would be a "highly dangerous combination".

There were also five letter from members of the public objecting to the scheme due to loss of a shop, proximity to the primary school and highway safety concerns.

Melanie Durant, Shropshire Council case officer, said: "Given the modest size of the unit and that it has been vacant for more than 18 months it is considered that the proposal is acceptable. The Highways Authority raised no objections to the proposal. The imposition of conditions regarding extraction equipment and opening hours will ensure the proposal does not result in any adverse impact on the village."