TWO hot food takeaways have been approved by councillors who ignored planning guidelines to back business enterprise.

A shop in Derby Street, Daubhill, can be converted into a takeaway, and a day-time cafe in Horwich can now serve food until midnight.

But councillors have stressed that both cases were special exceptions and they want to make regulations stricter in future.

A petition in favour of the takeaway in Derby Street was sent to the council, but planning officers recommended refusing the plan because it breached guidelines on nearness to houses and lack of off-street parking.

Planning chairman Cllr Jack Foster said: "This is most unsual. We normally get petitions off objectors and we can't ignore the strength of local support for this scheme.

And Horwich Cllr Betty McCracken made a passionate appeal for the cafe in Chorley New Road to be allowed to open at night. Three people objected fearing noise and smells.

But she said: "The couple who own this place will not be able to afford to stay if we refuse this plan. Horwich cannot afford to lose businesses like this and we should encourage the enterprise of people trying to do something for themselves."

Councillors approved the two plans, but Cllr Foster stressed: "We have approved these two, but each takeaway plan will be judged on its own merits."

And Cllr Pauline Spencer said that regulations generally should be made tougher to guard against nuisance to local residents.

A revised set of rules will be presented to councillors for approval in the next few months.

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