COOKING UP A STORM

The Council formally voted not to accept the approval recommendation of planners regarding the plans by the Henderson group at 44 Moyle Road in the town.

But the Council has no power to stop the planners making the decision as councillors are only consulted on such matters.

The planners have given the go-ahead for the hot food outlet along with a sub-division of an existing supermarket to provide an additional retail unit despite 24 objections being officially lodged.

The councillors objecting to the hot food outlet had worries about the smell and other problems they said it will create for nearby properties.

But Independent councillor Randal McDonnell did not support his colleagues.

He said there may be “cranks” who don’t want a hot food outlet but said there might by many others who want it.

Cllr McDonnell said people in residential areas “no longer know how to cook and want takeaways”.

Planning official Julie McMath said the letters of objection had touched on areas like:

* Impact on nearby houses.

* Inappropriate development for the area.

* Could create anti-social behaviour.

* litter.

* odours and noise.

* Adequate provision of hot food outlets in the town.

* Sited close to schools.

She said there will be an odour abatement system and steps will be taken to limit the noise of machinery by having an “acoustic lobby” and equipment will be at the rear of the development.

She said the Henderson Group has litter management arrangements.

But councillors were unhappy.

Cllr Madeline Black (SDLP) said it is such a build-up area that no matter where you put it the ventilation is going to affect somebody whether it is across the road from the development or in Stroanshesk.

“Hanging the washing out would be another issue,” she said.

Cllr Catherine McCambridge (SDLP) said it would be much to the “horror” of local people that the door of the proposed hot food outlet will open out onto Moyle Road.

“I am disappointed because there definitely is a heavy pall that hangs over these fast food outlets,” she added.

Ulster Unionist councillor Helen Harding said: “Residents are certainly not happy” and Cllr Paudie McShane (Sinn Fein) said it was disappointing to see an approval opinion and he asked fellow councillors not to accept the opinion of planners.

Meanwhile, Ms McMath said the location is outside the town centre boundary but said it can go ahead as a shop is already on the site.

Independent councillor Seamus Blaney said such a development outside the town centre could have implications for other schemes and he said: “Roll on Tesco”.

He said he was sure other chip shops in the town centre will be unhappy as instead of going into the town many local school children will “now go up the hill”.

In another reference to the Tesco debate, Council Vice-Chairperson, Cllr Robert McIlroy (DUP), said: “I thought this group (Hendersons) wanted to see business staying in the Diamond area”.