A NEW restaurant in Grays has been given the go ahead by Thurrock Council.

Takeaway, Chillos Peri Peri in Southend Road now has permission to open as a restaurant from 11am to 11pm.

The 28-seat restaurant sits within a parade of shops and the outside appearance will not be altered.

While the application doesn't specify if there are residential units in use above the ground floor takeaway, planning permission was granted in 2013 permission for a first-floor rear extension to create two one-bedroom flats.

Nevertheless, planning officers didn't feel the change of use would have much effect on surrounding neighbours.

There are four takeaways in close proximity to the site.

An officer's report said: "An objection on the grounds of an increase in noise and disturbance could not be substantiated to the use of one of the units as a restaurant especially considering the lawful use as a takeaway which may have higher footfall with shorter dwell times in the premises.

"The proposed change of use seeks to operate as a restaurant at the ground floor level.

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"The application site forms part of an established shopping parade where higher levels of noise and activity are expected and form part of the fabric of town centres and shopping parades. It is noted that the shopping parade includes restaurants that provide hot food that operate up to 11pm, seven days a week.

"Therefore, the use as a restaurant would not be considered unacceptable for the location."