Nick's Fish Bar in Ashby has been given permission to add an extension to its building in The Callis - despite some opposition from neighbours.

The popular family run fish and chip shop intends to extend to the left of the shop yard area with a lean-to and temporary outbuildings.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council said it had no objections to the plans at a recent meeting of its Planning Committee.

But a number of nearby residents expressed concerns about the possible later use - and a possible increase in their serving area, so greatly increasing the level of odour and pollution.

However, the feeling was that if the extension were to be used for storage purposes only, then there would be no serious objections.

North West Leicestershire District Council has given planning permission and an officer's report says: "Neighbouring dwellings have raised concerns in relation to a number of issues largely surrounding the use of the site as a hot food takeaway leading to significant odour issues, noise and other pollutions such as waste.

"Following concerns raised the agent for the scheme clarified the use of the extension would be solely for storage and as per the submitted plans the public serving area would not be increased in size.

"As such, as the proposal would result in additional storage space, and it would not impact the existing ventilation to the site, it is not considered the proposal would result in increased numbers of customers to the site and therefore would not result in impacts to neighbouring properties over and above those already present within the site due to the existing use of the business and on balance it is not considered it would be reasonable to refuse the application on such grounds nor would it be reasonable to impose additional conditions.

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"For the above reasons, the principle of the development is considered to be acceptable and would not conflict with the principles of the Local Plan."

Last year, we reported how Nick's has introduced a 'telephone booth' Covid-safe system which allowed them to re-open last May during the first lockdown Batter times ahead for Ashby chip shop.