Maltby's former fire station to become chippy - despite hundreds objecting

MALTBY’S old fire base will become the Fryer Station after proposals for a chippy were welcomed by planners.
The former fire stationThe former fire station
The former fire station

The disused station — closed when fire crews moved in with police last year — will become a fish and chip restaurant and takeaway.

There were 26 letters and a 292-name petition against the move from objectors who felt Maltby already had enough food outlets.

Maltby Town Council welcomed the restaurant part of the plan but objected to the prospect of another takeaway.

Cllr John Kirk said: “The biggest problem we’ve got is not restaurants. We need restaurants and other new facilities.

“But the joke is that we have more takeaways than doctors in Maltby.”

The fire station, on High Street, was left empty when a merger with the South Yorkshire Police base on Byford Road was completed in 2017.

Applicant John Radford said the fire building was ideal for conversion to a restaurant. The venture will create 20 jobs and include off-street parking.

But Nikki Avgousti, owner of the Blue Whale chippy on Tickhill Road, said: “Maltby currently has over 20 takeaways. Do we want another to add to the list? 

“We need something that will benefit the young community and help the regeneration of Maltby.”

Paul Norris, senior pastor at the Full Life Church, called for the building to be kept for use by the community and raised concerns about noise, small and traffic.

Mr Radford told last week’s planning board meeting that there would not be a delivery service and the venue would close at 10pm.

He added: “The application is for a quality restaurant with ancillary takeaway. The restaurant and takeaway will be both owned and run by a local man with many years’ experience.”

He said the 17-hectare site was not suitable for housing because of the slope and the estimated £50,000 building demolition costs.

The plans won unanimous approval and board member Cllr John Williams said: “This is based on a business model that we know works. We’ve seen it elsewhere. 

“This application will bring the building back into use and prevent it being derelict any longer.”

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