A BID to have refusal of a planning application for a hot food takeaway in Cowdenbeath overturned has failed.

The matter went before councillors on the Planning Review Body who heard that the plan has been to change the use of shop premises in Stenhouse Street.

Mr Rameez Raja had asked last year for permission to turn the shop at 235 Stenhouse Street, into a takeaway, which would have taken the form of a chip shop, but after a petition protesting against the plan had been lodged the planning authority refused the application on the grounds that it would give rise to potential adverse and unacceptable impacts on residential amenity.

However, Mr Raja lodged his appeal on the grounds that the shop had been empty now for two to three years and it would not be viable to run a convenience store in this vicinity because Cowdenbeath now has two large supermarkets with a third under construction.

In his submission Mr Raja added: “The building could lay derelict or empty for years.

“Our business will be open between 4.30pm and 10.30pm and will also stock essential commodities such as bread and milk.

“It is anticipated that the the majority of the business will involve home deliveries, which would also reduce the amount of people visiting it rather than if it was a shop, helping keeping noise down and providing a service to the community.”

Mr Raja submitted a petition signed by 50 residents supporting the proposal which stated: “We support the proposal as we believe the chip shop in the now disused building would benefit the community and also sell necessities like milk and bread.”

However, the Planning Review Body to uphold the original planning decision to refuse the application.