A BID to change a shop into a restaurant and cafe in Chatteris High Street, has been refused for the third time. The latest refusal came at last Wednesday s meeting of Fenland District Council s planning committee, despite the plans being recommended by o

A BID to change a shop into a restaurant and cafe in Chatteris High Street, has been refused for the third time.

The latest refusal came at last Wednesday's meeting of Fenland District Council's planning committee, despite the plans being recommended by officers for approval.

Councillors decided it would have "a detrimental impact on existing homes in the area".

Chatteris-based solicitor Brian Hawden led the public objections and told the committee: "It is quite right that Chatteris has a need for a restaurant but whether or not it needs a restaurant of this style is something which has not been addressed."

He also raised fears of Chatteris turning into a "takeaway alley", with four takeaways within 100 yards of each other.

Twenty-two letters of objection were also received by the council prior to the meeting, with concerns raised including:

- Noise, smell and litter increase

- Lack of parking for staff

- Negative effect on living conditions of neighbours

- Anti-social behaviour problems

- Late-night disturbance.

The change of use was first refused in October 2004, and again in March last year.

Councillor Pam Potts, of Whittlesey, said: "There are developments at the back of this and it is going to have a bad effect on residents and their properties."

Councillor Peter Murphy, of Chatteris, added: "It is the most inappropriate place to put a takeaway."

Planning agent Nick Straw said the applicant had tried to address the issues which saw his second application turned down. These had included building an extension for a toilet instead of siting it in an outbuilding, removing one of the two previously planned windows from both the dining room and kitchen, and making the remaining windows non-openable in attempts to reduce noise.