RESIDENTS have won their battle against plans for another takeaway in Horwich.

Iqbal Patel applied to Horwich Town Council to convert a former newsagents on Chorley New Road into a hot food takeaway.

Local residents opposed the plans, claiming the residential area was unsuitable for the takeaway, which would be open daily until midnight and until 10pm on Sundays.

A petition containing 22 signatures and 28 separate letters of objection were received by planning officers.

Gary Livesey owns the adjacent BSS Construction offices, and speaking on behalf of the local residents at the planning meeting said: "Most people know Horwich town centre and know where the takeaways and restaurants are.

"This falls out of that area and would not have the same level of control by CCTV or council litter picking.

"This is a residential area, and quite a pleasant one.

"There are a lot of elderly people who are worried about the night behaviour it will attract.

"I am not against takeaways in principle, I use them myself, but there are better places for them. If this is passed it sets a precedent for others to come forward and could create a ribbon effect across the town."

Horwich town councillors backed residents' fears of increased litter, noise and juvenile nuisance, refusing the application.

Cllr Kevan Helsby said: "There is a high level of opposition to this and they are the people we represent. It is also contrary to planning policy because it is in a residential area."

Cllr Bob Ronson said: "The problem is that once we agree, if we are not careful, things like opening hours tend to spread and that would become an issue."