Labour Failure Threatens to 'take-away' Resident Rights

12.00.00am GMT Thu 7th Jan 2010

Liberal Democrats in Sheffield have hit out at the previous Labour administration after their failure to enforce trading hours led to a decision to allow a take away in the middle of a residential area to open until 3.00am Mon-Thurs, 4.15am Fri-Sat and 1.00am on a Sunday.

In February 2009 the 'Northern Sole' takeaway at 196 Whitham Rd, Broomhill applied for a relaxation of opening hours. The business wanted retrospective planning consent to open until the early hours. The takeaway had been trading to these hours for years despite only having consent to trade until midnight.

The application was opposed by local residents and refused by the City Centre South and East Planning and Highways Area Board at it's 2nd February 2009 meeting on the basis that it would create extra noise. Council Officers at the meeting advised that the application be refused.

However, the Council has now been informed that an appeal against the refusal has been upheld by the National Planning Inspectorate for England. One of the main reasons for upholding the appeal was that the takeaway had been allowed to get away with early morning trading due to a lack of enforcement from the previous Labour administration on the Council.

Since coming to power in May 2008 the Lib Dems have begun enforcing takeaway trading hours in areas such as Broomhill, which had been an area of real concern for local people but been ignored by the previous Labour Council.

Cllr Paul Scriven, a local Lib Dem Broomhill Councillor and Leader of Sheffield City Council, said: "As a local councillor I know that many local people will be devastated by this decision. It's a serious blow to our battle against excessive late night noise and litter in Broomhill.

"But what is perhaps the most frustrating thing is that this is all a result of Labours previous neglect for our area. It's clear to me that the people of Broomhill are entitled to an apology from the Labour politicians who sat back and did nothing despite many complaints from local residents."

Lib Dems have warned that the decision sets a dangerous precedent that could see residents across Sheffield losing their right to a peaceful nights sleep.

Paul added "Clearly businesses such as takeaways can have a place in such areas. But there has to be a balance. I don't believe it is reasonable to expect local residents to have to put up with noise into the early hours potentially every night of the week. Everyone in Sheffield should be entitled to a relatively quite and peaceful neighbourhood. This decision, as a result of Labours neglect, puts that entitlement in serious danger."