THURROCK Council has refused an application to turn a shop in South Ockendon into a takeaway after hearing that residents feared it would cause antisocial behaviour.

The occupants of 1 Aire Drive said the current use as a retail outlet was no longer viable and asked for permission to sell hot food from 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday.

While the applicant said the shop in a small shopping parade was currently empty, council officers said it was in fact occupied by a business and a viable retail outlet would be lost if the application was approved.

In addition the council received objections from residents who were concerned about littering, noise and antisocial behaviour and a lack of parking.

They also said there were "plenty of existing takeaways in this locality and there is no need for this proposal".

Resident Ahmad Azad of Daiglen Drive, said: "There are already litter problems in this area, rubbish on the floor, smashed alcohol bottles on the floor. A restaurant being added here would only increase these problems.

Lesley Inkersole, also of Daiglen Drive, said: "This is a very quiet part of South Ockendon, this will cause noise levels to rise, children hanging around making the area feel unsafe.

"The area is already a mess which I believe this will get worse. There is not a car park for people to park in, the road already has loads of cars park everywhere already, without a takeaway being put there."

In a report on the application, planning officers said: "The applicant argues that the hot food takeaway is not for the use of fast food with no significant implications on health outcome of school pupils in the surrounding area.

"However, whilst not necessarily disputed, limited information has been provided with the application to ascertain whether there is also a demand for the development in this location.

"The applicant also argues the current business operates at a loss and prior to them occupying the unit, it was vacant.

"However, it is noted that the unit is not currently vacant and hence it is assumed there is a continued demand for the Class E use at the site."

They added: "It is considered to be unacceptable in principle. The proposal results in the loss of retail unit without any justification or demonstration that the unit is no longer required for retail purposes."