Concerns have been raised that a busy retail park could be transformed into a “takeaway alley” after plans for a restaurant were submitted.

The owners of Hathaway Retail Park in Chippenham recently lodged an application to convert a unit housing Bensons for Beds into the site’s first eat-in venue, and the store has now been listed for let.

Aegon UK Property Fund are awaiting a decision from Wiltshire Council after applying to change the use of the building to a mixed restaurant and takeaway use.

But while the proposal received no formal objection from Chippenham Town Council, Councillor Matthew Short warned against the risk of the retail park being “irreversibly” transformed in the future.

Speaking at a planning committee meeting, he said: “I have no objection and we’re seeing a diversification with Greggs and the gym so the nature of it is changing.

“But we wouldn’t want it to change irreversibly into just a takeaway alley.”

The town council’s head of planning, Andy Conroy, echoed these concerns telling councillors that while diversification of the park was positive it should not lead to the loss of other retail stores.

He added: “There’s no objection to diversifying the retail on offer on this particular occasion.

“But I would add the comment in that any consent must not set precedent for the loss of other units on the retail park from bulky goods retail, as this could ultimately harm the vitality and viability of both the Hathaway Retail Park and Chippenham town centre.”

The landlord’s application claims that the change of use could increase the number of people employed at the site from eight to 39.

A document submitted to the council by Aegon’s agents Planware says: “The proposal seeks to provide greater flexibility within the use class to re-let the unit and also provide a broader range of uses within the wider side, adding to the retail and leisure offering.

“The proposal will help diversify the retail park, increasing the retail offer, whilst providing additional jobs. The change of use will facilitate an increase in employment opportunities within the site.”

The unit has since been listed as available to let by estate agents Savills, despite Bensons insisting they have no plans to move from the Chippenham branch.

A spokesperson for the furniture retailer previously said it was aware of the planning application but had no current plans to leave the unit.

Planning permission for Hathaway Retail Park did not initially allow for food businesses but this changed in 2015.