PLANS for a fourth takeaway for Northwick have been thrown out following a U-turn by Worcester City councillors.

When it met earlier this month, the planning committee said it was minded to approve plans to change a greengrocers shop on Ombersley Road into a takeaway restaurant.

Their decision went against the advice of city planners, who recommended refusal. They said that Northwick shopping centre would be damaged by the loss of another shop.

But at a meeting last night members changed their minds after hearing the objections from traders in the area.

At the last meeting Jeff Box, who currently runs the greengrocers, told members that his trade had dropped dramatically over the last few years and such a shop was no longer viable in Northwick.

However, at last night's meeting, Donna Evans, sub-post mistress at the nearby post office, said the shopping area was thriving.

"There are four businesses that are new, and they would not have set up in Northwick if they did not think it was viable to do so there," she said.

"The fruit and veg shop only opens until 1pm most days and we have had lots of people asking us if we can start selling fruit and veg.

"There is a great demand in that area for that sort of shop."

She added that another take-away would be bad news for the vitality of the shopping centre.

"It will be closed during the day, which will not help to attract people to the other shops," Mrs Evans said.

Ward councillor for Northwick, Mary Drinkwater, said the plans should be refused.

"I cannot support the idea of another takeaway there," she said.

"We already have litter problems and problems with anti-social behaviour because of the existing ones."

Coun Gareth Jones, who also represents that area, said he was amazed that the committee had initially backed the proposals.

"The officers have put forward very robust reasons for refusing this application," he said.