PLANS to create a new takeaway in Romsey have been delayed.

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

The proposals, submitted by Balaka Restaurant, have already come under fire over concerns the takeaway could cut jobs in rival businesses, due to increased competition.

The plans were meant to be decided by TVBC by December 25 2020, but have been pushed back.

This comes after 19 angry residents signed a petition objecting to the plans, fearing they will have to endure the smell of food blowing around their neighbourhood.

However, owner of Balaka Restaurant, Shafi Hussain, previously told the Advertiser the new takeaway could generate up to ten jobs.

He stressed residents should not be concerned about any smells coming from the unit, believing commercial extractor fans will be installed in the business.

As reported, petition organiser and owner of Chef Peking in Plaza Parade, Xiu Huan Man, slammed the plans for not providing enough information explaining how cooking smells would be eliminated using a ventilation system.

She believes because the takeaway would be in a mid-terraced building it could "require a flue, which would not be possible with the residential units above".

"A flue could also have an impact on the character of the area, since it would need to be a certain height to ensure cooking fumes are dispersed.

"There is no detail provided of the extractor outlet and therefore in its absence the proposal will adversely impact [people's] health and quality of life," she said.

The business owner added the plans could mean neighbours have to put up with more noise coming from delivery drivers' vehicles waiting outside the takeaway.

She claims another takeaway would result in more traffic parking in the area, worrying the plans "will exacerbate" this problem if given the green light by planning chiefs.

Mr Hussain 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 has been contacted for comment.