PLANS to change a former shop into a takeaway in Newton-le-Willows that faced a backlash from residents and business-owners have been withdrawn.

St Helens Council received an application for a change of use from a retail unit to a fast food takeaway in Bridge Street, Earlestown back in April.

The application received numerous complaints from residents and business owners.

One representation submitted to the council, which claimed to represent the views of the “majority” of near-by businesses and residents, listed a string of objections to the plans.

The letter says Earlestown is being “crammed with takeaways and barbers” and says there is enough talk in the town about the council letting Earlestown “go to ruin”.

“If you let this one through then you really are imposing an injustice to local people, workers and businesses,” the letter says.

One of the objections raised in the letter is that another takeaway will fuel obesity.

“More fast food – more obesity,” it says.

“There are already about 20 takeaway food outlets in town. Enough is enough”

Smell and noise concerns are also raised in the letter.

“There are flats directly above the shop,” the letter says. “The late opening hours of a takeaway will undoubtedly disturb them and their small children.

“I’d like to point out that the smell and noise that is produced by existing shops is just about bearable but any more and this would drive out the residents.”

Lucy Northey, from the council’s environmental health division, raised an objection due to a lack of information.

“The proposed development has the potential to cause odour nuisance within the local area is not properly managed,” she wrote.

“The applicant has not provided any detail about the type of fast food, the numbers of covers or any type of extract system.

“Therefore, I cannot determine the extent of the extract system required.

“I would ask that the applicant submit this information to the local authority before determination.”

The letter from business-owners and residents says parking on Bridge Street at present is a “nightmare” and adds that the new business, with its increased number of delivery cars, would exasperate the problem.

However, Dave Whittleston, the council’s senior transport officer, said the plans did not pose any significant highway implications and raised no objections.

A decision notice has now been posted on the council’s website confirming that the application has now been withdrawn.