Fast-food shop rejected in favour of more ‘variety’

3:17pm Thursday 20th December 2007

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Plans for a new fast-food shop in Shenley Road were unanimously rejected by councillors at a planning meeting last Thursday.

The panel of ten councillors refused landlord KL Properties' application to change the former butchers, next to Tonibell café, into a take-away restaurant.

Members of Hertsmere Borough Council's Elstree and Borehamwood planning committee agreed there were too many similar shops in Borehamwood's high street and said another would not be beneficial to residents or the area.

Councillor Hannah David, portfolio holder for planning, said: "The application was rejected because of the over-concentration of food outlets in the street.

"The appearance of empty shops on the high street is obviously concerning but we need to have a variety of shops."

Three letters were received from neighbouring residents objecting to the plans, with one stating that the disproportionate number of food outlets already causes problems and another would lead to the "death of the high street".

In April, shopkeepers and residents collected more than 150 signatures opposing proposals for a new take-away shop at the site and the landlord later withdrew the application.

The plans were resubmitted in August but officers recommended the proposal should be refused.

Rita Milone, owner of Tonibell café, said: "There are enough food places around here already.

"I am very pleased this application was refused.

"It would not have impacted on our business because of our regular customers, but there is already too little choice for people in the town.

"If people walk down the high street the same types of shops are all the way down. We need more variety for customers."

KL Properties was unavailable for comment.