There are now far fewer shops in the villages and suburbs around Bradford than there were some years ago. Supermarkets and out-of-town shopping centres have drawn away local customers, causing the closure of many greengrocers, butchers and corner shops. Post Offices have centralised. Even newsagents have disappeared from some formerly bustling local shopping streets.

In some cases the use of the vacated premises has been changed to residential. However, in others the buildings have kept to a commercial use as fast-food takeaways, which continue to be one of the big growth areas as people change their eating habits.

There has been a particularly noticeable trend in that direction in Idle where, according to Councillor Jeanette Sunderland, there are now 15 takeaways. Councillor Sunderland feels this is not right for a conservation area and would like to see a better mix to preserve the character of the village.

Most people would surely agree that, in an ideal world, takeaways would be kept in their place as part of a wide range of village businesses. Unfortunately, though, attempts to attract traditional shops back to fill empty premises seem doomed to failure. Even a takeaway is preferable, surely, to a boarded-up building in the high street?

However, if planning permission is to be granted for them, the Council should insist that these businesses fit in as much as possible with the traditional look of the area and cause the minimum of nuisance to local residents. Above all, they should be expected to tidy up any litter caused by their customers to curb the widespread mess that gives takeaways such a bad name.