A NATIONAL pizza chain has appealed to the Government after a North Yorkshire council refused its plans for a new branch.

Hambleton District Council rejected a planning application in the autumn for Northallerton High Street, but the applicant has now appealed to the office of the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.

The chain has not been confirmed but is represented by Pegasus Planning, which has often represented Domino’s Pizza in the past.

The application was for the old CC Outdoors shop at 214 High Street, which has been empty for more than a year and a half.

The district council had said there was support for evening and night-time businesses but said that had to be balanced against the shopping appeal of the town centre, particularly in High Street, and it said the loss of a shop was unacceptable.

The council has for several years had a policy of telling other takeaway operators that they would not be allowed in the main shopping street, and should instead choose sites in other streets.

Several of those operators therefore objected to the application, saying national operators should not be given preferential treatment.

Council planning officer Kevin Ayrton said in his original report on the application: “The lack of usage in the early morning hours would have a detrimental effect, albeit limited, on the retail offer in this location.

“Further, it is not considered that the proposed use will complement or enhance the main retail function – for example a shopper is unlikely to call in for a takeaway pizza whilst shopping."

He said the chain would be more suited to premises away from the main shopping area, and said no evidence had been presented showing there was a lack of such suitable sites there.

The agent for the pizza firm said the building had been marketed for 18 months without success, but Mr Ayrton said there was not enough evidence to support this and said the council did not accept that it could not reopen as a shop. If approved it would be the second branch opening in the area in recent months after one opened in Catterick Garrison.

The appeal will be considered by a planning inspector through written submissions. Anyone wishing to comment should do so by January 19, by emailing West1@pins.gsi.gov.uk or sending three copies in writing to West1 The Planning Inspectorate, 3/26 Hawk Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square Bristol, BS1 6PN.