Staffordshire chippy lodges appeal after being refused permission to extend opening hours
A Lichfield fish and chip shop has appealed to the planning inspector after being refused permission to extend its opening hours.
Fish Face on Tamworth Road wanted to be able to open 4pm to 9pm on a Sunday and bank holidays.
More than 200 residents in the local community signed in support of the application, according to planning documents. However, Lichfield City Council ‘strongly’ objected, saying residents are already ‘blighted’ and should be able to enjoy odour-free Sundays and public holidays.
The shop, which opened more than 10 years ago, says that demand has increased and other fish and chip shops in the area are open on Sunday. The planning statement adds that future development on Cricket Lane and Shell Garage will further increase demand on the shop.
The planning statement said: “The fish shop has been opened now for just over 10 years, during which time opening times for fish shops, takeaways etc has evolved due to the demand so the growing local community, hence the application to allow the premises be open on Sundays and bank holidays from the hours of 4.00pm to 9.00pm
“Due the nearby residential development and imminent development of approx. 500 houses to be built off Cricket Lane, and another smaller residential development near the Shell Garage at the junction of Tamworth Road and London Road, the demand from the local community will no doubt increase.”
In refusing to grant permission planning officers said: “The proposed extension of opening hours on Sundays and bank holidays would result in an unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of nearby occupiers through increased noise, disturbance, and odour at times currently protected by existing planning controls. The applicant has not provided sufficient technical evidence within the statutory consultation period to demonstrate that such impacts could be effectively mitigated.”
A similar application was refused in 2023 on the same grounds. A planning inspector will now decide whether the latest bid should go ahead, with a decision expected later this year.
