THERE has been a mixed reaction over plans to open a new takeaway in Dursley - with a health chief raising concerns over obesity issues.

A change of use application has been submitted to open the eatery in Kingshill Road next door to Domino’s which opened last summer.

SP Catering wants to change the site from a retail unit to a food takeaway.

It is understood the proposals relate to opening a fish and chip shop which would operate from 11am to 11pm every day.

Plans - which have been submitted to Stroud District Council - also include installing new extraction and ventilation equipment plus external alterations.

The property is the old Motor World auto parts store, which ceased trading in 2022.

However, the Kingshill shopping area already has four takeaways and the Oak At Kingshill pub.

So far, there have been two objections from members of the public.

Concerns include parking and delivery problems and fears that there will be too many takeaways in the street.

A new takeaway could soon open in Dursley - the proposed site is pictured left (Image: Google Maps) Other bodies including Gloucestershire Highways have no objections and Dursley Town Council is supporting the application saying it would ‘bring an empty unit back into use for business and employment’.

Concerns raised by the director of public health

However, responding to the plans, director of public health for Gloucestershire Siobhan Farmer urged SDC to consider the impact on healthy eating.

Ms Farmer said: “We respond to highlight the healthy living and health and wellbeing adjacent policies within these plans that planners will be familiar with.

“We ask that when determining the application, planners consider the proximity of Rednock School and the cumulative impact of an additional hot food takeaway on the Kingshill parade.

“Obesity remains the greatest health issue for our generation and while schools have improved the healthy food offering within their site, the same cannot be said for much of the surrounding built environment.”

The street already has Domino’s, the Kings Garden Chinese takeaway, the Kingshill Takeaway kebab shop and the Great British fish and chips shop.

One resident says there are already problems with parking in Kingshill Road (Image: SDC)

"Nothing creative about yet another takeaway"

One resident said: “It already has too many takeaways, having another will impact on the others negatively and lead to job losses.

“Another type of business such as retail would be much more beneficial for the people in Dursley and the four small food businesses on Kingshill Road.”

Another person said: “There are many uses that would better serve the community - a pharmacy, opticians, or a hardware shop. Another takeaway is simply not required.

“The change of use of No.14 to yet another hot food takeaway use would begin to establish two separate and conflicting ‘ends’ of the centre: with units 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 14 operating during the night and having a dead frontage during much of the day.

“In addition, having such a high concentration of takeaway uses at the gateway to Dursley will offer a negative first impression.

"There is nothing creative about yet another takeaway.

"The number of takeaways within this small community is excessive in its current state.”

However, the applicant says the new unit would generate greater footfall and trade for the road and would also remove a ‘dead frontage’.

A planning document reads: “The takeaway will operate similar opening hours to others located there, generating a number of jobs recruited from the area.

"The proposed use would further support the vitality and viability of the area by reinstating an active use in its remaining vacant unit, removing a dead frontage and generating greater footfall and trade for both the day and evening economy making the parade along Kingshill Road an attractive place to visit and trade from."

You can view the application quoting S.24/1273/FUL or see here - tinyurl.com/8craen95