YET another takeaway could soon be opening in Ferndown despite the array of different food outlets already dominating the town centre.

People living in the town have put their names to a 29-signature petition against a plan to change the use of an estate agents to a Chinese takeaway at Ringwood Road, just a few doors away from existing takeaway business Top Wok.

The town council has also objected to the application on the grounds of limited parking and overdevelopment of the site and there have been calls for more shops rather than a street scene of takeaways, estate agencies and solicitors firms.

Richard Blunderfield, president of the Ferndown Chamber of Trade, said: "I agree there are enough takeaways in Ferndown. There are a lot of them but obviously there must be a need or they wouldn't still be there.

"We do want to see businesses open but it would be nice to have a variety.

"It is a large town but there are not many shops. A lot of people go off to Bournemouth or Castlepoint to do their shopping, which is a shame."

People living near the proposed development have also raised concerns about more traffic on an already busy road and about increased smells, litter and disturbance.

Despite the protests East Dorset District Council's planning officers have recommended the application, which also includes an extension to the building and provision of first-floor residential accommodation, be approved.

A report to the planning committee states that government policy specifies the planning system does not play a role in "restricting competition, preserving existing commercial interests or preventing innovation".

The application is due to go before the planning committee at a meeting to be held at the council offices at Furzehill on June 19.