'Unique Pakistani cuisine' Hartlepool takeaway loses appeal after being turned down for planning permission over obesity concerns

Proposals were refused by Hartlepool Borough Council planning department last year to convert the vacant property at 16 Sydenham Road into a takeaway.

Council planning officers rejected the plans, submitted by Mr Mohammed Malik, citing concerns over obesity and the number of takeaways already in the area.

An appeal was then lodged to the national Planning Inspectorate by the applicant over the decision to refuse the development planning permission in a bid to get the ruling overturned.

However a report from inspector Alison Scott, appointed by the Secretary of State, states the appeal has been dismissed, noting the negative impact the plans would have on the area and health and wellbeing of residents.

It said: “The proposed hot food takeaway would be directly adjacent to the other two hot food takeaways within the parade.

“A concentration of such uses would negatively impact on the vitality and viability of the retail and commercial centres.

“There is no evidence provided by the appellant to explain their reason as to why they consider the menu choice and pricing would deter people from eating their food most days.

“I conclude that the proposal would result in harm to the health of local residents.”

Council planning team leader Daniel James, speaking at the Hartlepool Borough Council Planning Committee, said it was a positive sign the council had been supported in its decision.

He said: “That adds yet another application or appeal that’s been dismissed on health related grounds so that’s quite a positive note for members that our policies are working.”

Previously plans for hot food takeaways in Raby Road, and in Easington Road at the former Saxon pub site, had been rejected by the council over health concerns, and subsequent appeals from the applicants were dismissed.

A design and access statement from ASP Associates, on behalf of applicant Mr Malik, had argued the Sydenham Road plans would not be detrimental to the area.

A further statement was put forward ahead of the appeal decision on behalf of the applicant as to why the refusal of the plans should be overturned.

It said: “We believe that having a vacant building within the local community that is often the target of vandalism has a much greater negative impact on the viability of the local area than a new unique hot food business.

“The landlord has been advertising the property to be let for a long time and it has remained unoccupied for over 10 years

“The unique Pakistani cuisine business which is being proposed at 16 Sydenham Road, would not impact the child obesity rates in the area, in fact it would provide a healthier alternative within the local area instead of multinational chains and pizza takeaways.”

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