TWO councillors are fighting to stop a developer “flouting” the planning rules by building an extension to create a takeaway in Cradley without permission.

Labour councillors Tim Crumpton and Richard Body have objected to the retrospective application for an infill extension and proposed rear extension, with new fume extraction chimney and roller shutter doors at the premises in Windmill Hill.

Approval would mean there would be three fast food takeaways in a row within a small development.

Cllr Crumpton said: “I believe this may be against our own unitary development plan and is definitely against the wishes of residents and our own aspirations for the regeneration of the area.”

The premises have been the subject of an almost annual bombardment of planning applications over the past eight years for alterations or additions to the building, all of which have been refused following residents’ objections.

Cllr Crumpton said: “I am deeply concerned that the applicant has taken this into account and decided to flout planning rules by building first and asking afterwards.”

Fellow Cradley councillor Richard Body said he saw no “valid reason” why the applicant had not applied for permission in the first place.

The infill extension has made access to a rear car park more difficult and Cllr Crumpton doubts whether customers would use the car park, preferring to stop on the roadside.

He added: “The road is one of the busiest in the borough and is a constant nightmare. Having yet another food takeaway will increase the problems that we have.”