NO CURRY on a Sunday is the verdict for an Indian takeaway, despite a petition with 550 signatures from customers demanding longer opening hours. Takeley s Red Chilli Takeaway recently applied to open for longer during weeknights and, for the first time,

NO CURRY on a Sunday is the verdict for an Indian takeaway, despite a petition with 550 signatures from customers demanding longer opening hours.

Takeley's Red Chilli Takeaway recently applied to open for longer during weeknights and, for the first time, to open on Sundays only to be told that the food they serve is "too smelly" and "would negatively affect neighbours enjoying sunny days in their gardens".

At an Uttlesford District Council meeting last week councillors turned down the application to increase weekday opening times by 30minutes and to open twice on a Sunday from 11.30am to 2.30pm and from 4.30pm to 10pm.

Takeley's district councillor Jackie Cheetham is the chairman of the development control committee that made the final decision.

She said: "We have had a lot of problems with the site and I wanted the application refused. Opening on a Sunday would be a step too far as residents living nearby would find it very hard to enjoy a nice day in the garden."

A handful of residents adjacent to the takeaway also submitted letters to the council begging it to throw out the plan to open on a Sunday.

One letter cited that it was the Sabbath and it was the only day that neighbours can have peace and quiet free of car doors banging and customers coming and going.

A resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "This was a pleasant place to live until we had to endure the strong smells which are so bad at times that we cannot hang out washing, work, or sit in our garden. Sunday is the only day free of stink, noise and rubbish."

However, with such a wealth of support from local customers, the Indian takeaway managers, who also own a fish and chip shop next door, could be set to appeal the decision.

Jakir Hussainasok and Abdul Miah both described how they need the extra business hours to ensure the survival and future of the local service.

In a supporting statement Mr Miah said: "We are finding it increasingly difficult to continue to provide a valuable facility to the people of Takeley. There are no other takeaways in the village and all of our customers have signed a petition backing us to open on Sundays. We want the district council to help our business and give us permission."

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