New South Ribble takeaway owner says there are too many fast food outlets - but hers will be different

The owner of a planned new food outlet in Farington says she wants to offer a healthy alternative to the traditional takeaway – after admitting to councillors who were deciding whether to approve her proposal that there are a glut of fast food businesses in the area.
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Louise Parkinson told a meeting of South Ribble Borough Council’s planning committee that her family-run eatery at the junction of Stanifield Lane and Bristol Avenue would serve up “hot and cold, traditional and plant-based healthy food”.

“I agree with comments [from the public] that there are already too many unhealthy takeaways in the vicinity.

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“My planned menus [will include] traditional breakfast and lunches – there’ll be no deep fried food, no nasty odours, no late night openings and no gangs of undesirables or vehicles coming and going at all hours,” Ms. Parkinson said.

The new food outlet will be located on the corner of Stanifield Lane and Bristol Avenue (image: Google Streetview)The new food outlet will be located on the corner of Stanifield Lane and Bristol Avenue (image: Google Streetview)
The new food outlet will be located on the corner of Stanifield Lane and Bristol Avenue (image: Google Streetview)

Members gave the go-ahead for the venture in what is a longstanding vacant shop, which has most recently been used as offices. The new business will operate from 7.30 am until mid-afternoon Monday to Saturday.

Environmental health officers concluded that the domestic extraction system proposed for the premises addressed any odour or noise concerns, while highways bosses were satisfied that spaces on a forecourt outside the unit and time-limited waiting in on-street bays would provide adequate parking.

However, Cllr Michael Green – who represents Farington at parish, ward and county level – warned that while the current proposal was a palatable one, there was the risk that approving it could lead to the future creation of a business that councillors might find it more difficult to swallow.

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“If consent is granted, [it] goes with the land and not with the applicant. So while Mrs. Parkinson may have one intended use, that doesn’t prevent her selling the business… [so] members are consenting to a hot food takeaway – whatever that may be,” said Cllr Green.

He added that guidance from the county’s director of public health is that applications for takeaways of all types should be refused in wards where more than 10 percent of primary-aged children are obese. Although Farington falls into that category, the meeting heard that South Ribble has not yet adopted the suggested policy on refusal.

Committee member Mary Green also feared that there would be “a certain amount of smell” from the preparation of English breakfasts and warned that the business could cause larger vehicles to park up on Stanifield Lane while their drivers stop for some sustenance.

However, the planning committee was overwhelmingly supportive of the proposal, with Cllr John Hesketh describing the suggested opening hours as “very reasonable”.

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Cllr James Flannery added: “Given the challenging [economic] environment we’re in, it’s great to see a small business setting up, creating employment and serving what looks like good quality food.”

The application was approved by 11 votes to one.

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