PLANS for a hot food takeaway in place of a former NHS clinic have been rejected due to concerns over the noise and smells coming from the site.

Plans were submitted to Southend Council asking for permission for a takeaway restaurant at Warrior House, in Southchurch Road.

The unit used to house the Victoria Surgery, but has stood empty since October last year after it relocated to Argyll Road, Westcliff, when the lease ended.

No business had committed to the site, but the applicant had stated several were interested.

There are also several flats situated above the building.

And residents in the area had previously raised concerns that it is yet another takeaway coming to Southend, as well as pointing out it could be a huge disruption for the residents above.

Elizabeth Jones, 35, of Southchurch Road, said: “I am pleased to see it has been rejected. I know no-one likes seeing empty buildings and empty units, but I don’t think this is what we need in Southend.

“We have plenty of takeaway places in the town centre, so I don’t know what this would have added.

“It would just be another place for people to gather late at night and cause anti-social behaviour.

“Obviously it is not good news for units to stand empty, but hopefully it can attract something that will attract a lot of people.”

The applicant had stated that the plans would effectively bring a prominent town centre site back into use

The initial application had no plans for a ventilation scheme, which ultimately proved an issue for the council, who raised concerns over the smell from the takeaway.

The council’s decision notice said: “Insufficient information has been submitted in respect of extraction equipment/ventilation to enable the full assessment of the proposed development.

“It is therefore considered that the proposed development would result in material harm to the amenities of the occupiers of nearby residential properties through noise and odour.

“The proposal is therefore unacceptable and contrary to national planning policy framework.”