TOWN councillors have backed plans to change a former shop in Oswestry into a fish and chip shop.

At the recent Planning and Developments Committee meeting, members heard plans submitted by Stephen Hind from Cefn Mawr, to change the former Co-Op shop in Victoria Street into a fish and chip shop.

Before members commented, Councillor Sandy Best made everyone aware that the building had a covenant on it which stated it could not be turned into a residential property.

One of the councillors in favour of the application was Cllr Duncan Kerr who said that the plans for the currently disused building, were a good idea.

"I think we should welcome it," said Cllr Kerr. "It's stood empty for years and years since the Co-Op moved out and it's about time it was used for something.

"I'm just grateful somebody has come forward with an application."

Cllr Paul Milner had some reservations about the plans however, due to the location of the site and unknown opening hours.

"Even though it would be nice to see a shop there – it's been empty for three or four years – I am worried that in the application, there's no opening hours at all," said Cllr Milner.

"It would be great to see the shop reopened but I'm not sure where people are going to park. There's no parking on an already busy junction coming out of Victoria Street onto Victoria Road.

"And I am worried about anti-social behaviour and litter and opening late into the evenings.

"I think it would be nice to see it open but whether a fish and chip shop would be the right thing for the area – being a residential area – I'm not sure."

Cllr Peter Cherrington, echoed Cllr Kerr's enthusiasm for the plans and noted that other fish and chip shops in the town also lacked parking.

"Salop Road Chippy hasn't got parking. I've lived there for nearly 40 years. It is what it is," said Cllr Cherrington.

"There is a covenant set out by the Co-Op, they will not allow another retailer to take on the building, it cannot be a house, it's got to be used for something.

"And as Cllr Kerr said I would be more than pleased to see something done with it because it's in an atrocious state at the moment."

The councillors voted to accept the application, with one abstention from Cllr Milner.