Plans for a chicken and pizza shop on a Reading street with “too many fast food shops” have been branded “madness” by neighbours.

A Dallas Chicken and Pizza franchise has applied to the council for planning permission to convert an empty retail shop into a takeaway and restaurant at 81 Whitley Street.

Three neighbours have called for the proposal just outside the town centre to be refused, submitting comments on Reading Borough Council’s (RBC) planning portal.

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Patrick Keating, who lives on Northumberland Avenue, said: “Frankly there are too many fast food shops in Whitley Street already and adding another one seems madness.

“Whitley Street used to have a good mix of shops at one time but like most other streets in Reading it has become saturated with fast food shops, litter and noisy customers.

“This application should be rejected in my view.”

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Kevin Hogarth, who lives on Christchurch Road, agreed that there is already an over-development of restaurants and takeaways on the Whitley Street shopping parade.

There are currently nine takeaways/restaurants on Whitley Street – a fairly short road – including Indian, Chinese, Korean, chicken, kebab and pizza options.

Mr Hogarth raised concern there would be an increase in smells, air pollution, rubbish and noise, which he causing nuisance to his nearby property.

He said he is also worried about the potential danger of traffic increasing at an already busy roundabout.

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Elizabeth Adelman, who also lives on Christchurch Road, took the same view.

She said there are an excessive amount of fast food outlets and restaurants on Whitley Street which has resulted in “hazardous” car parking and litter.

Dallas Chicken has approximately 19 stores across England, mostly in London, and specialises in fried chicken, grilled chicken, burgers, ribs and pizzas.

This isn't the first time neighbours have objected to takeaway plans in the area. 

Plans for a fish and chop shop and a cafe/restaurant proposal were both approved by the council this year depsite residents raising concerns.