PLANS for a new fish and chip shop in Rhyl have been met with concerns from neighbours worried about unpleasant smells, traffic and litter.
Muhammed Yasir Malik, of Parveen Coffee Limited, has applied to Denbighshire Council, seeking planning permission for a change of use of the Office 2 Home building on Wellington Road in Rhyl.
Mr Malik wants to transform the shop into a hot food takeaway.
Several neighbouring business owners and residents have written in objection to the plans.
Kay Pidduck said: “I have a major concern for the traffic outside the premises as there is supposed to be no parking, and it’s right by the major traffic lights on a busy four-way crossing.
“My wheelchair-bound father has had problems trying to cross here with cars parked so he couldn’t see moving traffic coming towards him.
“Also, deliveries would cause problems as they are usually very large wagons that deliver, and this would cause many problems in the area blocking alleyways and obstructing the pavement for motorists and pedestrians in the area.
“I also feel that Rhyl doesn’t need any more pollution from a takeaway extraction system that is also very noisy and can create strong smells for the residents in adjoining flats and the business owners in the area, a smell that can travel and linger which is unfair on the people in the area.”
She added: “As other people have mentioned, the storage of bins, waste oil, and waste food could create an unpleasant smell and atmosphere for those around and adjoining the premises.”
Y. Aka of neighbouring AJ’s Café also wrote an objection letter.
They wrote: “I am not happy to have another hot food takeaway establishment next to my café.
“The situation for businesses in Rhyl is difficult anyway, (never mind) sticking two takeaways next to each other sharing the same wall – it’s too much.
“I am fed up of the rubbish in front, on the side, and the back of my shop anyway, and the fish and chip shop will increase the rubbish around my cafe.
“I am fed up of cleaning others’ rubbish.
“The smell from the fish and chips, rubbish, noise from the fuses, vibration, people (around) till 22:00 or later every day, and cars that are already parking in front of the shop on no parking lines, which is already an issue, will be worse.
“The fish and chip shop will increase the litter and traffic, (the number of) parked cars in front of the shop, blocking my exit gate, and it’s dangerous next to the traffic lights and also for the cars waiting and turning to the right direction.”
He added: “There are lots of takeaways in Rhyl increasing the rubbish in the town, and another hot food takeaway is totally unnecessary, and there are several similar establishments within easy access of the area.
“It will add to the problems with noise, litter, horrible cooking odours, a powerful extraction fan vibration, and an increased fire risk as well.”
Ross Starkey, of High Street News, also sent a letter of objection.
He said: “We share access through a back yard, which leads to the car park at the rear of the building.
“We have several serious reservations regarding the plans for this new shop.
“Firstly, there is only one soil pipe and one drain for the whole of the property, including the flats above, and all of the other shops in the block.
“We have had to call Welsh Water out on numerous occasions due to the drains blocking.
“We are worried that the extra pressure that a takeaway will have on the drains will cause them to block even more frequently.
“The smell of drains is already a daily occurrence in our shop. The second reservation we have is that, due to the way the shops in the block intertwine, the smell from this shop will pervade into ours.
“We also have a problem with their proposed extraction and waste from their toilet facility, which they think is going to come out in our own personal storage yard which we regard as completely unacceptable.”
Amir Shahzad runs Fone United and said in his letter of support: “I think the proposed plan is good.
“At least it will bring some opportunity for the town, will create a few jobs, and contribute to the local economy.
“There are other shops that are empty, so at least someone is trying to open something.”
Denbighshire’s planning officers are advising the committee to grant the application, despite objections from Rhyl Town Council, which has concerns about traffic at a nearby busy junction and parking.
The plans will be discussed at a Denbighshire planning committee meeting on Wednesday at Ruthin ’s County Hall HQ.