CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating after a planning panel agreed with them that their village did not need an extra take away.

An application to turn a unit in Thornton, 405 Thornton Road, into a hot food take away had met with a backlash in the village, with 150 people signing a petition to try and block the plans.

Many of the objectors said the historic village already had too many take aways.

Earlier this week it looked like their objections would be in vain when Bradford Council officers recommended the Area Planning Panel approve the new business.

The unit, currently a charity shop, is a short distance from Thornton Primary School, and the Council usually has a policy of refusing new takeaways if they fall within 400 metres of a school. But officers said S Ali’s application would be exempt - because if fell in what was classed as a “village centre.”

However, after hearing representations from residents, including other local business owners, and councillors, the panel opted to refuse the application due to the number of other take aways nearby.

Mr Ali’s planning application had said; “The building is currently occupied on a short term tenancy and, due to the restricted space available, has a limited appeal for long term tenants.

“This application seeks the change of use to create a hot food takeaway. The building owner has identified a potential tenant, on a long term basis, subject to planning consent.”

It also said there were four other restaurants or take aways within 50 metres of the unit.

Councillor Richard Dunbar (Lab, Thornton) had objected to the proposals, saying they could lead to an increase in litter, noise and would be lead too many take aways - he estimated there were around nine to 10 such businesses in the area.

Susan Drake, one of the objectors, said: “There are already too many take aways in the village. Although it is in the centre, a lot of these shops have flats above them. It is a residential area as well.”

After the decision, Cllr Dunbar said: “There is the fear the area becomes saturated with take aways. There needs to be a balance, and Thornton has a high concentration for such a small place. We fully welcome the decision by the planning panel, there was a very strong feeling in the village over this.”