COLNE residents and business owners are set to object to an application for a new takeaway in Market Street.

The application, to divide the current Jack Fulton shop in two and use one half for a hot food takeaway, has sparked anger among local people who claim that Colne ‘has enough takeaways’, and that additional ones will lead to an increase in litter.

Retailers have also said they want to see more smaller, local businesses in Colne, and would object to a national chain moving in.

Ash Sutcliffe, who owns Colne interior shop Live Like The Boy in Shackleton Hall, said: “We already have quite a number of takeaways in Colne.

“Generally speaking there are a lot of independently-run, family businesses in Colne, and over the past 18 months, the town has started to improve because of the independent businesses here.

“Other retailers and businesses in the town centre don’t think it will add to the high street, since people want to see more independent retailers.

“We’ve already had comparisons to Hebden Bridge, and we have more potential than Hebden Bridge because of the infrastructure.

“The council apparently want bigger businesses in there. I’ve been told it’s a national chain.

“It’s been rumoured that it’s Domino’s Pizza, and so that’s obviously not going to be a local family business.

“I don’t know anybody that wants to see that application go through.”

Neil Watson, Pendle Council’s planning and building control manager, said: “There is nothing in our planning policy that states we would encourage national chains over independent businesses – our priority is to ensure the vitality and vibrancy of all our town centres, be this through independent shops or big name retailers.”

A council spokeswoman said the application would be discussed at Colne Area Committee meeting on April 10.

Those who wish to ask questions at the meeting must send these in writing by midday on April 9 to jane. watson@pendle.gov.uk.