By John Connell

Last updated at 13:03, Tuesday, 08 January 2013

Controversial takeaway plans look set to get the go-ahead despite neighbours’ fears that it could attract rats and antisocial behaviour.

The council has so far received 13 letters of objection to proposals to transform a launderette on Harrington Road in Workington into a fast food outlet.

The plans, which have been recommended for approval, are to go before Allerdale Council’s development panel on Tuesday.

But people claim a takeaway would attract “violent” behaviour, increase noise and rubbish levels and lead to unwelcome “greasy food smells”.

In a letter to the council, one of the objectors, Paul Broughton, of Harrington Road, said: “I can only feel that it will bring a negative vibe and have a detrimental effect not only on the value of my home but also on the local community.

“Within the last 12 months there was nothing short of a rat infestation which I was left to sort out myself. Given the fact food would be present, I dread to think that they would return.”

But Allerdale’s environmental health department is supporting the proposals subject to conditions.

People also fear the takeaway could lead to parking problems and could make the road more dangerous for pedestrians.

The site is on one of the main roads through Workington on the corner of a busy crossroads close to St Joseph’s Catholic High School and opposite a Co-op.

In a letter another objector said: “There is already a problem with parking at the bottom of Mason Street. My children cross the road here on their way to the town.

“This involves crossing the road between illegally parked cars, blocking the view of the very busy junction.

“The opening of this takeaway would only increase this problem.”

Gerald Humes, leader of the town council, said he was “totally against it”, adding that it was an “accident waiting to happen”.

But Kevin Kerrigan, Allerdale’s head of development services, said the takeaway would be “suitable” for an area with a mix of commercial and residential properties.

He also said that the proposal would be “unlikely” to have a major effect on parking and that the Highways department had raised no objections. The flue system would deal with the odours from the takeaway, he said, while the takeaway would not be open during school lunch breaks.

People said they did not want to lose the launderette but Mr Kerrigan said that this was not grounds in itself for refusal.

The applicant is Mehdi Samadi.

First published at 10:45, Monday, 07 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk