A takeaway is applying to extend its hours before it has even opened.

Anil Kumar was granted planning permission last September for a hot food outlet in The Parade at Staplehurst. It is expected to be a kebab shop.

But planners were concerned about it causing a disturbance to residents who live in flats above, and limited the opening hours to 4pm to 10pm Monday to Friday, noon to 10pm on Saturday, and noon to 9pm on Sundays.

The reason given was “to safeguard the enjoyment of their properties by adjoining residential occupiers.”

The business will be in the premises formerly occupied by the Murcatto WInes off-licence, close to Staplehurst Library.

The Parade comprises shops on the ground floor of a three-storey block, with flats on the two floors above.

Other businesses in The Parade already include a number of food outlets.

There is a Greggs next door, also a Subway, while the Jumeira Indian restaurant and the Chequers Fish Bar are on the other side of The Parade.

There is also a kebab shop not far away – Staplehurst Kebab and Pizza at Station Road.

Mr Kumar’s agent says it is unfair that his client has been denied the chance to open at lunch-time and points out that the Chequers Fish Bar opens from 11.30am until 2.30pm, while Greggs and Subway both open at 7am and the Jumeira opens from noon until 2pm.

The business is seeking permission to open from noon until 10pm, Monday to Friday.

Staplehurst Parish Council, which did not object to the original granting of planning permission, has objected to the extended hours, arguing that although other businesses might open earlier, they also closed mid-afternoon or did not open on Sundays, so it all evened out.

Hannah Parker from The Parade is also objecting. She said: “I have been living in Staplehurst since 2008 and work in the village.

“I have noticed an increase in fast food at The Parade over the years which has had a disruptive impact. For instance, the number of deliveries to the existing businesses has affected the structure of the road resulting in re-occurring pot-holes, lifting of pavements and the careless obstruction of the access road to the primary school and the doctors’ surgery by delivery vans.

“With the limited parking, having another fast food establishment with delivery services and wanting to increase their hours would only cause more disruption.

“Staplehurst has grown extensively since 2008 and it has reached its maximum capacity.

“Adding anything further and with the expansion of hours would only cause unnecessary disruption and would result in an increase in noise and food smells during the day time and vastly increase the negative impact on the residential amenities of the private gardens and flats above.”

The application can be viewed here.

Application number 23/503094 refers.