Problems with take-aways (From Gazette & Herald)

Problems with take-aways

MRS Buchanan more than most understands the 'suffering' that late night

takeaways can inflict on nearby residents. "Action needs to be taken" - Letters Page October 2. I am one of those 'flat dwellers' that opposed the planning application for the change of use of 4 & 9 Eastgate to a fast food takeaway. My opposition is in part due to the scenes I have witnessed in Burgate over the years.

By their very nature 'fast food take-aways' tend to be used as an after the pub event. That is the problem. There is nothing wrong with takeaways as such, we have many in the town, there is a separate argument as to whether we have too many, but like any other activity when it begins to cause harm or suffering to others it has to be controlled.

As we seem incapable of controlling the results ie large numbers of people congregating outside takeaways late at night, surely we have to control the source - the outlets themselves.

The Eastgate location with its alleyways and walled car park would be incredibly difficult to police, even if we had the will or resource to do so.

I am an 'incomer', only eight years so far but I have a great respect for this town and its people and dislike anything that detracts from its image. I hope I do not come across as a NIMBY. Through the experience of Mrs Buchanan and others we know what to expect if the planning application goes through and go through it still could, as an appeal has been made to the Secretary of State to the Environment.

FRANK DOYLE

Pickering

Updated: 10:48 Wednesday, October 16, 2002