COUNCILLORS have agreed an empty shop unit in The Arcade, Upper Gornal, can be turned into a hot food takeaway – despite the submission of petitions with 160 signatures.

Dudley’s planning committee approved the plan – despite concerns about the proximity of the proposed flue to people’s homes and worries about the extra noise and anti-social behaviour that maybe generated from the takeaway – at its last meeting on July 19 at Dudley Council House.

Councillor Tina Westwood said the plan would improve the area and “make it more inviting”.