A SECOND application has been lodged to keep a pizza restaurant open in Ringwood - while the appeal into the first attempt is ongoing.

Rominos Pizza, which is located in the High Street, initially applied for a lawful use certificate in January, but this was turned down by New Forest District Council planners in June.

Despite appealing this decision, with an inquiry due be in held in February, the restaurant and takeaway has now filed an application to change the use of the premises.

The current business has been operating at the site since May 2016, after purchasing the lease to the former bakery, The Granary, and adjoining first floor restaurant, Poppies.

A statement filed with this latest application by the eatery's agent, David Ramsey Licensing Consultant, repeats concerns raised in the appeal statement.

The application statement says: "Before submitting the application (in January) site meeting and telephone conversations with Peter Burridge and Jim Bennett, NFDC planning, took place and it was quite clear that they were not aware of the full extent of the operation of 'The Granary', in fact it was their belief that that the Granary and Poppies Restaurant were two separate businesses when there is clearly an internal staircase leading into the first floor restaurant area."

The current application is seeking to change the use of both floors of the premises from A1 (shops) and A3 (restaurants and cafes) to A5 (hot food takeaways) with ancillary customer seating.

"During the months that Rominos has been operating in the High Street it has quickly built up a reputation as a quality takeaway serving a large variety of Mediterranean food," the statement adds.

"The premises employs three fulltime staff who will be made redundant should this application be refused due to the immediate closure of the premises and relinquishment of the lease. This will result in an empty shop on the High Street"

Comments can be made on the application up until December 31.