Residents say a new Domino’s takeaway will damage the character of their “unique” town and should not have been allowed permission to move into a former high street bank.

The pizza giant is set to take over the former Lloyds bank in Tenterden – which has been empty for almost seven years – despite fears over noise, smell and disturbances.

Plans were submitted in June with the company applying for permission to turn the ground floor into a takeaway, complete with a kitchen, dry store, customer area and ventilation.

It prompted a number of objections, with several residents raising fears over its suitability for the High Street.

Speaking to KentOnline, town newcomer Sue Greenhelgh said: “I don’t have a problem with Domino’s being available for the town, as I’m sure there are plenty who would use the deliveries, but when I imagine it in that building I just think ‘yuck’.

“I moved into Tenterden eight weeks ago and I can already tell you that this town is unique. There’s such a strong base of independent shops here – you do have a few chains like Costa here, but I hope that this doesn’t impact the integrity of the High Street.”

In a letter on Ashford Borough Council’s planning portal, Stewart Duncan also raised the possibility of the chain negatively impacting independent businesses in the town.

“One of the reasons Tenterden is recognised as a tourist destination and the Jewel of the Weald is its unique independent shops and restaurants,” he wrote.

“As Dominos is a chain franchise, this application makes Tenterden more like towns elsewhere and therefore less of a tourism draw.”

The building, which lies between Fat Face and Mastercutters, has been vacant since 2017 after becoming one of four Kent branch casualties in a wave of cuts by the bank.

Last year, planning permission was granted to separate the vacant top two floors of the former Lloyds building from the ground floor – with a new entrance at first-floor level – to create office spaces.

But news of the chain’s confirmed arrival in the town after plans were approved by council plans has not been panned across the board.

Some residents argue it could be a welcome addition to the offering in the town and is good to be replacing an empty unit.

“It’s about time we had something that might cater a little more towards the younger generation,” said David Probert.

“There are far more around here than you might think, and the fact that this will cater more towards them is a good thing. I know people will be worried about rubbish and litter but then you could say the same for a fish and chip shop.

“That bank has been empty for years, and having a takeaway there is better than nothing.”

Jessica Morman added: “I’m not totally sold on the location but given how long it has been unused for, I will take anything at this point – I’m just a bit sick of walking past and seeing it shut up and empty.”

Alongside individual residents, Tenterden Town Council (TTC) and the Tenterden and District Residents’ Association (TDRA) also wrote in to object on a number of issues.

One issue which has since been allayed by developers was an apparent lack of parking or pulling-in space for delivery drivers and being forced to park on the pavement or road to collect orders.

In October, an updated block plan was uploaded to show parking spaces at the rear of the building allocated for both the Domino’s on the ground floor, and workers in the offices on the first and second floors.

In a report permitting the plans, a planning officer wrote: “Planning conditions will be imposed which restrict opening/delivery times and that the extraction systems are installed and operated in accordance with the approved documents.

“These conditions will help mitigate any harm to residential amenity.”

Among the conditions, which include the correct ventilation systems to limit issues around smell, the pizza outlet will open from 11am until 11pm.

The report adds: “Concerns have been taken into consideration. However, on balance and given that the use is subject to these conditions being adhered to, no significant or unacceptable harm to residential amenity is considered to arise from this proposal.”

A separate planning application was submitted showing how the signage could look, but this has been withdrawn.

Domino’s has been contacted for comment.