‘Inappropriate’ takeaway application for Wanstead High Street refused

A bid to convert a Wanstead laundrette into a takeaway was lost in a council planning meeting last week.

Businesswoman Linda El-Elini applied for planning permission from Redbridge Council to open the fast food outlet in High Street, where she proposed to open six days a week from 11am to midnight.

Councilors on the Regional Planning West Committee, meeting at Sir James Hawkey Hall, Broomhill Road, Woodford Green, refused the application and raised concerns about removing the much used laundrette from the area.

The application did not state what sort of food would be offered, but claimed that if opened it would provide much needed amenity for the surrounding flats, accommodation and offices.

Cllr Paul Canal said: “I didn’t think it was appropriate to have a takeaway there, I care about the area and it wouldn’t be right to affect the future of the area.

“I don’t want Wanstead to turn into somewhere like Leytonstone. The High Street has a unique character and range of shops, a takeaway would attract litter and anti-social behaviour.”

Ms El-Elini will have an opportunity to appeal the decision at a later date.