CAMPAIGNERS against more takeaways on a high street are delighted after a Government inspector backed their position.

Residents in Loughton had complained of a glut of fast-food restaurants appearing along the High Road, with the latest application coming in from Dominos pizza.

But Government Inspector Hilda Higgenbottam has now thrown out Dominos' proposal and suggested in her report the High Road already has too many takeaways.

In her report she writes: “I have no reason to dispute both parties' view that the non retail uses within the Key Retail Frontage already exceeds 30 per cent and the proposal would result in an increase in the non-retail frontage within it. This would have the potential to undermine the retail function of Loughton High Road.”

Mrs Higgenbottam was particularly critical of Dominos' admission that many of its customers phone in and never visit the premises.

She said: “On the information before me, particularly the percentage of customers visiting the premises, I am not convinced that the proposal would actually add to the vitality of the Key Retail Frontage.”

David Linnell, vice-chairman of Loughton Residents' Association, which had fought the Dominos' application, welcomed the report.

He said: “It's important to maintain a proper mix of shops, restaurants and takeaways. It's all very well saying takeaways can add to the vitality of a town, but that's presuming there aren't already takeaways there.”

“Future cases will be decided on their own merits but this is certainly a help.”