TOO many hot food takeaways are affecting trade of other shops in one of the gateways to Burnley town centre, councillors will be told.

A petition from 29 businesses in St James' Street and Brown Street has been sent to Burnley Council objecting to plans for an Indian and Pizza shop in empty premises in Lower St James' Street.

The application will be considered by the planning and environment committee on Thursday. Letters of objection have also been received from five neighbouring businesses.

The protesters claim there are already too many similar hot food takeaways on the lower part of St James Street which is affecting trade. They say the fabric and character of lower St James' Street has been adversely affected as a shopping street and another takeaway would only worsen the situation.

Town Centre 2000, an organisation trying to improve the ambience of the street, say there should be the right mix of retail use on Lower St James' Street.

Jinnah Community Development Service support the application, pointing out that it will open up a closed corner shop, create employment in the Challenge Fund Area and employ people of ethnic minority origin.

Officers are recommending refusal on the grounds that it would detract from the shopping character of Lower St James' Street.

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