PLANS have been approved to open a new takeaway restaurant in Woodley despite neighbouring residents' concerns.

The Grove Cafe in Loddon Vale Centre, currently opens until 4pm, serving up dishes like sandwiches, English breakfast and savoury snacks.

Cafe co-owner Mohammed Miah, who took over the reigns earlier this year, applied for planning permission from Wokingham Borough Council to extend the opening times until 10.30pm and add a takeaway facility.

But residents of the shopping centre, which already hosts a Pizza Hut and a Tesco Express, objected to the plans, saying the new facility would be "distressing".

"Firstly does Woodley town really need any more fast food take away outlets, at all areas across Woodley we already have a wide variety of take away outlets and as a responsible local authority I would like to see more attention paid to healthier lifestyle choices that gives something back to the community," said Darren Mills, of Loddon Vale Centre.

"The local residents will have to endure all the problems caused by late night opening hours which will go on later than the stated opening hours."

The plans also propose an extraction duct and canopy running along the walls of the cafe, close to neighbouring apartments.

George Palmer, also from Loddon Vale Centre, said the proposed facility will disturb him when he works from home.

Mr Palmer was particularly concerned about the proposal for the extraction duct, adding: "The installation of these additions will be noisy, disruptive and distressing."

Despite the objections from residents, the plans were approved by the Borough Council last Wednesday August 12.

Mr Miah told the Chronicle he isn't sure when the new service will start because he is waiting for a new kitchen to be installed, but he hopes it will be within the next three months.

Mr Miah said: "The opening times we have at the moment aren't good for business, I have to be able to pay the rent.

"We will have a new menu and of course more food to offer.

"I have already had lots of customers coming in asking if we can start the new service now."

Mr Miah added that the extraction duct will not cause a disturbance to residents, as it is designed to be silent and smell free.

"It's a very expensive canopy, there will be no noise or smells," he said.

The Grove Cafe will remain open as normal during the daytime, and the take away service is set to run from 5pm until 10.30pm.