Plans for a fourth pizza takeaway in a small town centre have been thrown out by councillors.

Planning officers at Barnet Council had recommended plans to convert the former Lloyds Bank in Mill Hill into another fast food outlet be approved – despite receiving 90 objections and no comments in favour from members of the public.

But at a meeting of Hendon Area Planning Committee on Wednesday (June 13), councillors voted unanimously to reject the proposals for 127 The Broadway.

Ann Hewetson, who has lived with her family in the flat above the former bank since 1983, told the committee the situation was a “nightmare”.

She said: “This takeaway will be open from 11am to midnight. It will cause a nuisance.

“There is no double glazing at the front and side of the building. The third bedroom is at the rear, where they propose to put the extraction and ventilation equipment.

“It is impossible to park, even with a resident’s permit, and it will cause chaotic consequences.”

The applicant’s representative argued there were seven hot food takeaways in the area, comprising just 6 per cent of retail outlets.

He claimed adding another one would not lead to an overconcentration of fast food outlets – a point that was also made in the planning officers’ report.

Planning officers also said it would “activate a dormant building, support employment and contribute to the vibrancy of the Mill Hill town centre”.

But Cllr Gill Sergeant, Labour member for Colindale, said: “I would like to reject this application. I appreciate banks are trying to dispose of their properties, but I think this particular proposal is wrong because great harm would be caused to the living conditions of residents.

“I really want to support long-term residents.”

All of the six councillors present voted to reject the application on the grounds that it would cause harm to residents and to the appearance of the building