Plans to turn a former Coalville hairdresser shop into a takeaway food outlet have been given the green light.

That is despite strong objections from ward councillor John Geary that there are too many fast food stores in the town.

Sweet T's Hair, at 4, Ashby Road, closed last year - and an amended application for a change of use was submitted by Mr Ziwa Baban in early December.

That prompted a response from Cllr Geary, who felt Coalville did not need another takeaway.

He said: "As the Ward Member, I strongly object to this planning application for yet another fast-food outlet on Ashby Road in the centre of our town.

"There are already a number of food outlets in the vicinity on both sides of the road and none of them have any form of parking, and are within a few meters of the main crossroads in the town.

"I believe the council needs to take control of the number of such fast-food outlets within the town centre if for no other reason than the health and well being of the population in general."

However, the 'improved' application was permitted yesterday (Thursday) and the business, Zino Burger, plans to open seven days a week.

In granting planning permission, the District Council said: "The hot food takeaway use hereby permitted shall only operate between the hours of 16.00 to 22.00 Monday to Sunday, including Public Holidays.

"This is to ensure the use remains compatible with the surrounding land uses and to preserve the amenities of the locality."

A council officer's report adds: "Planning permission has been granted for this proposal. The Local Planning Authority acted proactively through positive engagement with the applicant during the determination process which led to improvements to the scheme."

Cllr Geary also made his feelings known about the number of takeaways in Coalville when Pizza GoGo opened in Belvoir Road two years ago.

At the time, he said: "I consider we have far too many fast food outlets in and around our town centre and would ask that this one be decided by the Planning Committee."