A WHITCHURCH pizza shop has been given permission to sell food other than pizza despite objections from residents and the town council.

Top Pizza applied to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for the removal of a condition set in January 2000 which prevented them selling any other foods 'in the interests of the amenities of the occupiers of nearby properties'.

But angry residents objected to the removal of the condition, which they said was already being ignored by the Church Street outlet.

Whitchurch Town Council said the condition was imposed to prevent the environmental nuisance of unacceptable smells and fumes pervading the neighbouring properties and the environmental health officer confirmed that foods could be sold which produce 'stronger odours than at present', adding that the current ventilation system needed extending.

Four letters of objection and a petition of seven signatures were sent to the council's planning office, with concerns about the unacceptable cooking smells and inadequate extraction system, noise problems, the adverse affect on the conservation area, litter and the breach of the condition.

But a report to the committee said when the breach was considered on 28 June 2000, the council decided not to take any enforcement action as there would be no detrimental impact on the amenities of adjoining occupiers.

It added: "In recommending that the application be approved and that the condition be removed from the unit, it should be noted that the current ventilation extraction system is inappropriate for the preparation and sale of food other than pizzas.

"Therefore, a further condition is recommended to secure an alternative scheme that would protect the amenities of near neighbours."

Councillors were told litter is 'not a material planning consideration' and that noise issues come under environmental health legislation.