Domino's Pizza has been been given the go-ahead to move into Ashby - taking over the former Santander Bank building in Market Street.

A North West Leicestershire District Council report says the addition of the national chain takeaway does not contribute to a 'cluster' of similar outlets in the town centre.

The council has granted planning permission for Domino's to set up a branch in Ashby, joining similar ones in Coalville and Swadlincote.

However, Zamani's Restaurant, just a few doors down, also offers a takeaway service, while Ask Italian is a short walk away in Derby Road.

But the council report appears to class that as a restaurant, compared to Domino's being a takeaway - and says the distinction means it has no reason to refuse the application.

It also says there is 'a limited number of hot food takeaways' in Ashby Town Centre.

Zamani's is just a few doors away and offers a takeout service. Photo: Ashby Nub News

Domino's made its application to the council in March.

Ashby de la Zouch Town Council raised no objections provided deliveries from the store were handled from the rear of the building.

However, the District Council report suggests there will be no such controls implemented as Leicestershire County Council Highways has not raised concerns regarding access.

The council says it considered the number of existing takeaway establishments in the immediate area and their proximity to each other - in order to avoid clusters of takeaway use.

The report says: "It is not considered that the proposal would result in a cluster of takeaways.

"Monitoring data demonstrated the limited number of hot food takeaways within the town centre and an Officer site visit confirmed this was the case.

"Although there are restaurants offering takeaway services in the immediate vicinity of the site along Market Street, these establishments would be considered a restaurant, therefore not contributing to the number of hot food takeaways.

"It isn't considered having a hot food takeaway in unit 24 (Market Street) would exacerbate any existing hot food takeaway cluster issue.

"Therefore, it isn't considered we could resist the proposal on these grounds."

But it seems as though not all of the Town Council's recommendations may not be taken on board.

The building is the site of the former Santander Bank in Ashby. Photo: Instantstreetview.com

The report goes on: "Ashby de la Zouch Town Council advised it would not object to the proposal subject to a condition that the delivery service operates from the back of the premises, not on Market Street and that extractor fans should be closed off at a reasonable time to reduce noise pollution to local residents.

"With regard to the delivery service, the Local Planning Authority would not seek to control this aspect.

"Reducing the accessibility of the site would not be suitable, particularly when having regard to the lack of objection from the County Highways Authority and limited impact the use would have on the road network.

"The ventilation system outlined within the application was considered to be suitable by the Environmental Protection Team."

The report accepts that there is no retail shop moving in has created some 'conflict' - but believes it will add to Ashby's thriving night time economy.

it adds: "They (hot food takeaways) make a positive contribution to the diversity of uses on offer.

"The proposal, along with any committed planning permission, does not undermine the shopping element within the immediate area of the site.

"It would not result in cluster or over concentration of non- shop uses.

"And - It would not lead to a negative impact on the retail character and vitality and viability if the Primary Shopping Area.

"The proposal would lead to the loss of a retail use at ground floor level in the primary shopping area of Ashby De La Zouch.

"However, it is considered that the Hot Food Takeaway use would make a positive contribution to the diversity of uses in the locality, particularly within the evening economy, and the proposal would not result in cluster or over concentration of non- shop usage.

"Given this, it is considered that no harm would arise to the vitality and viability of the local centre and that the predominant use within the Primary Shopping Area would remain retail.

"Whilst some conflict arises relating to the loss of the retail unit, it is not considered that the application could be refused."