They'll soon be frying at Pebsham

Rother District Council had been poised to reject the application to convert the former Haslam Crescent Post Office into a take-away on grounds of noise, smell, extra traffic and late-night disturbance.

But councillors changed their minds after former postmaster Harjit Walia amended the application by proposing an earlier closing time and a more suitable odour extraction system.

The fish and chip shop proposal had caused a major stir in Pebsham. One petition of 104 signatures 'strongly opposed' the plans while another with 178 names was well in favour.

Readers' views on the subject dominated the Observer's letters pages last week.

The shop will now close at 8pm rather than 10pm as originally proposed.

Planners said they would allow the application on those grounds as long as Environmental Health were satisfied a new ventilation device would not be an eyesore or affect neighbours with noise and smell.

The amended extraction system will run up through the building and release fumes at roof level.

The post office closed last month due to government pressures but the counter is to be maintained in case there is any chance of a reprieve for the branch in the future.

Pebsham councillor Charles Clark said the decision to allow the application was a victory for Pebsham residents who are deprived of basic services.

He said: "I believe the concerns of most of the people who originally opposed the fish and chip shop have been addressed by the earlier closing time and the new extraction system."

Cllr Clark organised the petition in favour.

He added: "I could easily have got another 200 signatures. Pebsham needs new services like this, not shops closing down.

"Pebsham has 6,000 residents, 63 per cent of whom are under 65 years old.

"It's not a retirement village, it's a vibrant community and the new fish and chip shop will be a welcome addition for the vast majority of residents."

Cllr Jean Hopkinson added: "While we are sensitive to the concerns of Pebsham residents, I believe the conditions imposed on the shop will be sufficient in preventing it becoming a nuisance for neighbours."