Tory bid to block Harborne takeaway is set to fail

Feb 10 2009 by Neil Elkes, Birmingham Mail

CITY leader Mike Whitby is on the brink of losing his battle to stop a takeaway opening in a leafy suburb.

The Tory council chief was among local politicians and residents opposing plans for the corner shop Indian takeaway in Northfield Road, Harborne.

And they appeared to have the backing of planning officers who recommended that the takeaway, at the end of a small shopping parade, should not be allowed to open.

They had claimed that it would cause too much traffic and litter and that it was not part of the parade.

But members of the planning committee claimed that dozens of similar takeaways throughout the city are routinely given consent.

And while just four, all Conservative, voted to refuse the scheme, four Labour, three Liberal Democrat and one Conservative said they could see no reason for refusal and want to give it the green light.

Coun Keith Linnecor (Lab, Oscott) said: “I have a similar row of shops in my ward on Beeches Road and there are three takeaways there. No planning officer said we could refuse them.” According to Coun Paula Smith (Lib Dem, Hall Green) a similar pizza takeaway had been allowed in a conservation area in her ward.

“I can’t understand why they would allow one and not the other,” she added.

Coun Ian Ward (Lab, Shard End) dealt a fatal blow to the objectors’ case by pointing out that in a report planning officers had demolished every reason for refusal apart from one.

He said: “Their only reason seems to be that it would affect the amenity of people living in a flat above the shop. If that were the case we would have grounds to refuse almost every takeaway in Birmingham. Would this set a precedent?

“I cannot see there are enough grounds for refusal,” he added.

The committee voted to defer the application, minded to approve it.