I am horrified to learn that yet another application has been submitted to Bury Council for a change of use from a retail premises to a hot food take-away.

Local residents will recognise the premises when I say it is on Bury Old Road, Whitefield at the junction with Cuckoo Lane.

I am rapidly reaching the conclusion that we are becoming saturated with take-aways. Prestwich now has dozens of them. Fans of take-aways will be delighted to learn that within the boundaries of Prestwich it is possible to sample the cuisine of numerous Indian, Bangladeshi, Chinese, Italian, Kosher, English, Kebabs etc.

Now personally I like a take-away as much as the next person, but I fear it is really starting to affect the variety of local businesses and shops available to the public as well as changing the appearance of the area. (we’ll leave the affect of litter for now).

I am equally astounded that they can all survive in the area in such close proximity, we must all be spending a lot more time eating take-aways, with the inevitable consequences for the growing waistlines of local residents.

Perhaps the gateway signs welcoming travellers to Prestwich should now read “Prestwich -where you can get fed” or “Prestwich – twinned with Rusholme”.

I will be opposing this application. It isn’t needed, it will in my opinion damage the local economy further, amounts to an over-development of a particular retail sector in the area. Pertinently from a planning perspective it will cause further parking problems at a busy junction with increased potential for late night problems in a residential area.

If you would like to oppose you need to be fast as it is due to be considered by Planning next week.  Email: J.Cummins@bury.gov.uk quoting the address: 2 Bury Old Road Whitefield and the application reference: 52510