Campaigners have won their battle against a bid to build a “food village” – as developers have shelved the plans following local uproar.

Proposals to convert a disused plot in New Ruttington Lane, Canterbury, into the home of six takeaway-only mobile kitchens had attracted considerable opposition from residents.

Dozens of letters were sent to the city council imploring it to snub the project amid fears the site would stink out their homes, attract rats and disturb them late into the night.

And now, Simon Underwood, the businessman behind the £200,000 venture, has revealed he has withdrawn his application and decided to search for a “more suitable” location.

In a letter to the council, he explained: “We want our food villages to be of economic and social benefit to Canterbury, while also bringing an exciting delivery option to residents.

“However, in this instance we have listened to and respect the concerns of local residents in the area and believe the city will be best served with the food village operating from a different site.

“We look forward to opening a food village in Canterbury in the very near future once we have found a more suitable site.”

The cooking units were set to operate as so-called “dark kitchens” - places that sell food exclusively through delivery - which have attracted criticism for the cramped conditions in which employees work.

They had been designed to allow customers within a four-mile radius of the site to order in a Chinese, Indian, pizza and fish and chips all on the same purchase.

Cooking areas would have been occupied by a number of firms, whose dishes were set to be available to order on an app allowing customers to order grub from all of the eateries at once.

Documents showed Mr Underwood wanted to operate the village between 11am and 11.30pm each day “to match the operating hours of takeaways and restaurants in Northgate”.

Up to 25 people were expected to be employed at the site, in addition to the fleet of riders paid to pedal food to punters.

But neighbours submitted a raft of objections to the scheme to Canterbury City Council.

Resident John Cantelo, of nearby Clyde Street, argued: “Dark kitchens are notorious for the noise, stench and infestations of vermin they produce.

“This is why they are generally sited on industrial estates well away from residential areas.

“The units will be working for much of the day and well into the night. This is not acceptable.

“This proposal is without merit and in the wrong place.”

Campaign group The Canterbury Society also raised concerns over the “balefulness” of the scheme.

Reacting to the news of the withdrawal, Northgate councillor Alan Baldock said: “By uniting and speaking out, local residents have made an impact.

“It’s a win for residents.

“They were very concerned and they came together and made everyone aware of their concerns.

“I’m delighted the developer is thinking again about that location.”

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