CONCERNS have been expressed over plans for a new takeaway in Sidmouth town centre.

One nearby restaurant says it will have to close if proposals for 48 High Street – formerly Sanaa House - become a reality while other proprietors and residents fear smells, noise, litter and pubic nuisance.

An application for a change of use has been submitted to East Devon District Council (EDDC) by a Mr M Akbulut for a change of use from a retail premises to a takeaway.

He also wants to install an extractor fan system to the rear of the building. The business would be open from 4pm to 11pm from Mondays to Saturdays.

Objectors include Cinnamon Tree owner Kazi Ahmed, who says it is ‘having a very hard time with business’ and ‘cannot pay the bills’ in his representation to EDDC.

“If there is another food shop open in this town we will have to close down our business,” he says – and begs the council not to grant permission.

Sandra Cole, who owns the adjacent Coles, fears ‘inevitable’ ‘smells, noise and public nuisance’.

She is worried a ‘nasty problem’ of people urinating in and around the open doorway between the two shops will become ‘significantly worse’ - and a combination of late-night drinking, eating and loitering will lead to people being sick outside her business.

“We are concerned that a fast food business would be detrimental to the character of the high street,” she adds.

Pizza Pronto owner Yasar Oflaz says in his submission that the new outlet could put his staff’s jobs under threat and adds: “We have too many fast food outlets already, the noise rubbish and smell would destroy our little town.”

Peter Baptie, who lives in a flat to the rear of the property, says the noise and smells would be ‘unbearable’.

“Perhaps you could install a urinal in our doorway. The price of our properties would be greatly reduced,” he adds.