RESIDENTS have hit out over fears their town is becoming Flintshire’s ‘takeaway capital’.

Community leaders in Queensferry, who say their main street is being overrun by fast food outlets, have made a plea to planners after it emerged another shop could be in the pipeline.

There are currently 11 takeaways trading on Station Road, the main street which runs through the town. 

If a new shop is approved Queensferry will have three times as many takeaways as neighbouring Shotton, which is a bigger town.

Queensferry councillor David Wisinger said: “Residents are writing and rewriting petitions against having more takeaways, but we are fighting a losing battle.

“If someone wants to come along and change a shop to a takeaway, all they have to do is apply for a change of use and the council can’t really refuse them.

“If we took out the fast food outlets in Queensferry, there would be nothing left, but our hands are tied by planning laws.

“I sit on the planning committee and I can’t pre-judge an application. I have to keep an open mind.

“If we let one shop close then another will close and another, and you end up with a street full of boarded up windows, which has a terrible effect on an area.

“Queensferry has been very lucky in that it’s keeping the shops full.”


How many takeaways are in your town?

Are there too many, or not enough?

Do you live in Queensferry, if so, tell us what you think of news another outlet may be opened.