A Papa John's pizza takeaway has been proposed for Coalville town centre.

Plans have been submitted for the nationwide hot food chain to occupy the currently vacant Unit 51 in the Belvoir Shopping Centre.

An application has been made to North West Leicestershire District Council proposing that Papa John's moves in to the town centre and occupies the unit's two storeys.

Papa John's has outlets in Swadlincote and Loughborough, but wants now wants a takeaway and deliver service in Coalville.

Birmingham-based Pegasus Group has made representations on behalf of Papa John's and prepared a report for the District Council.

Part of it reads: "Although there are restaurants offering takeaway services in the immediate vicinity of the Site along the High Street, these establishments would be considered a restaurant, and therefore not contributing to the number of hot food takeaways.

"The closest hot food takeaway would therefore be Fusion BBQ and Pizza House, located just over 130m from the site.

"Since there is no frying involved in the making of the Papa john's pizzas, the establishment offers a healthier alternative. As well as this, the menu also offers healthier options.

"The proposed development has been carefully designed to ensure that it is compatible with development in the surrounding area.

"It is proposed that the hot food takeaway and pizza delivery use would operate from 10am to 11pm Sundays to Thursdays and 10am to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays.

"It is considered that the proposed opening hours are consistent with the unit's town centre location and surrounding uses.

"The external alterations associated with the proposed use will only affect the front and rear building elevations and are minor in nature and are appropriate to the context within which the site is situated.

"It is concluded that the proposed development is broadly consistent with the Development Plan for the area and planning permission should be granted without delay.

"It is therefore requested that the application be considered favourably, and planning permission granted."

Papa John's is opening a number of new outlets across the country, reports foodserviceequipmentjournal.com