A FORMER barber shop in a residential street can now be turned into a takeaway, after a planning inspector granted an appeal.

Planners at Darlington Borough Council refused two applications – an initial and revised application - to turn a former barber shop in Belvedere Road, Darlington, into a Thai takeaway.

In August, a meeting of the planning applications committee heard the authority had received 35 letters of objection from residents living close by who feared the takeaway would attract antisocial behaviour and lead to an increase in traffic and noise problems.

They also raised concerns over possible smells coming from the takeaway and the possibility of increased litter in the area.

However, the applicant Jesbir Singh, appealed and the Planning Inspectorate has overturned the council’s ruling.

Planning Inspector Mark Caine said permission was subject to a number of conditions, including one restricting the opening hours to 11.30am to 9pm Monday to Saturday, and noon to 7pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

Conditions were also imposed to ensure schemes to control noise, fumes, odours, waste storage and a grease trap are installed.

In his report Mr Caine said: "I appreciate that A5 uses (hot food takeaways) often attract customers with cars and that there may be some home deliveries from the site.

“As such, the proposal would be likely to result in some noise and disturbance from car engines, car audio systems, slamming of doors and people conversing.

“Nevertheless, I do not consider that this would be very different from the activities associated with the previous retail use or that it would generate significantly more litter or traffic than this.”

Residents and Park East ward councillor, Cyndi Hughes, had also raised concerns about the high volume of takeaways in the nearby area, leading to a problem with rats and poor public health.

However Mr Caine said he found little evidence to suggest that the location of the takeaway would have a direct correlation to childhood obesity, or that existing problems with rats and vermin would be exacerbated.

“Nor is there any firm evidence to substantiate that the development would lead to an increase in antisocial behaviour,” he added.

Cllr Hughes said she was disappointed with the decision, and that if she was re-elected, she would campaign for public health to have a greater focus in planning applications.

“I am disappointed on behalf of the residents. They made their views very clear that it was not a change of use that they wanted to see in their local community,” she added.