A POPULAR pizza company has had its request to open a new shop in Whittlesey refused because of an extractor flue.

The decision of Fenland District Council comes despite messages of support for the new shop from Whittlesey Town Council and the Whittlesey Society.

The application to use a vacant shop space - previously a gun shop - at 2 Syers Lane for a pizza takeaway and a gallery and gift shop was refused last month because an extractor flue to the rear of the building was deemed to “cause harm to the visual appearance” of the street.

Concern was also raised about disturbances and noise caused by the late-night opening hours of the restaurant - 5-9pm on a weekday and 5-10pm on a weekend.

But owners of Fresh Pizza Company in Whittlesey for 16 years Brian and Jeni Cairns thought the closing time was early enough to prevent such anti-social behaviour.

In a planning statement supporting the application, Mrs Cairns said: “In the 16-plus years we have run a pizza shop in town we have never experienced disruptive behaviour inside or outside our shop.

“Our aim is to provide a great service to our customers and the town.”

The application also received the support of the Whittlesey Society who said the proposed use would be better than an empty shop.

The planning officers disagreed, telling the owners the extractor flue, potential noise and disturbance and the “noise and odour related to hot food preparation” meant the application was refused.

Some of the shops on the street have flats above.