PLANS for a new takeaway in Romsey could create ten jobs if given the green light by planning chiefs.

An application was submitted to Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) to transform the closed Co-operative Funeralcare shop, Winchester Road, into an Indian takeaway.

In a statement, the Co-operative Funeralcare said they shut the Romsey unit in March after regularly reviewing their existing sites.

The plans, submitted by Balaka Restaurant, which already has branches in Winchester and Woking, Surrey, would see the takeaway open from 12pm to 10.30pm from Monday to Saturday.

On Sunday and Bank Holidays, it would be open for business from 12pm to 10pm.

One councillor was concerned a new takeaway could mean residents will have the smell of food blowing around a residential area.

Cllr Dorothy Baverstock, who represents Romsey Cupernham on TVBC, said: "There was previously an application to turn one of the units into a takeaway and it didn't happen because there are an awful lot of houses around there.

"Where I live there is a takeaway nearby and when the wind is blowing in the wrong direction all you can smell is food, so it is one of those things when you have got to consider the residents.

"In that area, there is already a fish and chip shop and a Chinese takeaway, so some people may say 'what difference does another takeaway make'?

"But, I think the people who would say there is a need for another takeaway do not necessarily live close by where they would come across all of these smells."

Owner of the Balaka Restaurant, Shafi Hussain, insisted residents should not be concerned about any smells coming from the proposed takeaway.

He said: "We are looking to employ eight to ten people if the plans are approved and we will have commercial extractor fans to minimise concerns people may have about anything coming out of the restaurant.

"We have been doing this for 40 years, so we know what we're doing.

"Hopefully we will get the go-ahead from the council and can start serving the community."

TVBC is due to decide on the plans by Christmas.