A FORMER High Street bank could be left empty if a businessman is refused permission to open a takeaway restaurant, it is claimed.

More than 50 people have objected to Fatih Cakmak’s bid to open a chicken and chips outlet in the former Barclays Bank on Kelvedon High Street.

Braintree Council planning officers have advised councillors to turn it down at their next meeting.

Uri Ellinson, of landlords Ellinson Estates, wrote to the council to say he had struggled to find a tenant for the building since the bank closed in 2010.

He said: “Both Barclays and myself have been trying to re-let the property without any success whatsoever.

“There have been three commercial letting agents involved in seeking a new tenant without any offers at all.

“I myself have been trying to re-let it privately.

“The first and only serious interested party in all this time is Fatih Cakmak, who is seeking to enter a long lease on the property, subject to obtaining the relevant planning permission.

“He comes across as a serious potential leaseholder who is well versed in the food business.

“I believe he would be a responsible tenant and his plans should only enhance the locality, providing something that is not currently available in that location.

“At the moment the property continues to be vacant and it would be a shame to see Mr Cakmak’s venture not proceed.”

However, planning officers decided the application should be refused on the grounds that it would create noise and it would have an “unsightly” extract flue that could cause an odour.

The officer’s decision notice stated: “Opening hours would extend until 11pm on seven days per week and the proposed hot food takeaway use can be expected to be reliant on its evening trade, which is the time when residents should be able to expect some peace and quiet and respite from the relatively high noise and activity levels of the day.

“The continual coming and going of customers, the stopping and starting-up of cars on the road in the vicinity of the site until late into the evening and the chatter of customers as they arrive and leave are likel y to be a particular cause of noise disturbance and nuisance to nearby residents.”

Councillors will decide the matter at an upcoming meeting.