Plans to convert a vacant former shop into a new “restaurant and takeaway” have been blocked following concerns from public health chiefs and residents.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning committee has refused plans which aimed to transform empty premises at 130 Oxford Road.

Proposals submitted to the council last year asked for permission to open a mixed-use restaurant and takeaway.

Supporting documents noted the development would “create 5/6 full-time jobs” and provide a “realistic use that would deliver significant local economic benefits”.

Plans for a takeaway at 130 Oxford Road, in Hartlepool, have been refused on health grounds.

placeholder image — Plans for a takeaway at 130 Oxford Road, in Hartlepool, have been refused on health grounds.

Yet concerns were raised by council public health experts, who noted a new hot food takeaway may undermine plans and policies to tackle obesity, with the “prevalence of obesity in Hartlepool” referenced as a “clear public health concern”.

Meanwhile, 10 public objections were submitted raising concerns around potential noise and highways issues and noting that there are “already multiple takeaways within a short distance”.

The plan went before Hartlepool Borough Council’s planning committee with a report from planning officers recommending it for refusal.

There were objections to the plan from both the council’s director of public health and the council’s land use policy team as well as an objection from the council’s traffic and transport team.

A council committee report said the proposed use would “exceed the threshold for hot food takeaways in the Oxford Road” area and said the development would “undermine efforts to promote healthy lifestyles” and have a “negative impact on public health”.

It added the development had the “potential to result in insufficient car parking having regard to the proposed use”.

A representative for the applicant, speaking at Wednesday’s planning committee, said plans would bring the vacant unit back into “active use” in a sustainable location, create local jobs and support footfall in the area.

After being put to a planning committee vote however, the plans were refused by a majority of councillors.

Councillor Karen Oliver referenced wider obesity levels and health-related matters in Hartlepool and said the council’s hot food takeaway policy was in place for a reason.

Meanwhile, councillor Carole Thompson noted the application falls within her ward and said she was “quite sure we don’t need another takeaway on Oxford Road.”