PLANS to turn a shop in an east Cleveland village into a hot food takeaway have been turned down by councillors.

The proposed takeaway in High Street, Skelton, would have opened from 4pm until 11.30pm, seven days a week, and would have created two jobs.

The only building work which would have been needed was the installation of a flue.

The person living in the flat above the shop did not object to the plans, but several High Street families wrote to Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council and submitted a petition with 75 signatures.

They claimed the takeaway would add to congested residents' parking, and feared the outlet would create problems with noise nuisance, young people congregating, and litter spreading in a conservation area. There were also concerns about increased vandalism.

In a report to Redcar and Cleveland council's planning committee, which discussed the application yesterday, Dr Joan Rees, the council's director of economy and environment, recommended that councillors refuse the application.

He said: "While the use of the premises would not harm the appearance of the area, it would unacceptably harm the living conditions of nearby residential occupiers by reason of late night activity associated with the use."

Councillors agreed with Dr Rees's recommendations and turned down the proposal.