15978/1CAMPAIGNERS in Aldbourne have lost their fight to prevent planning permission being granted that could allow the village's only butcher's shop to become a take away.

However, they hope the premises will continue as a butcher's following the arrival of John Capobianco who has taken over the former shop W Humphries and Son, run for years by Francis May before his recent retirement.

The shop is owned by Kennet District Council leader and Aldbourne Parish Council chairman Chris Humphries.

Coun Humphries leased the business to Mr May who was the village butcher for 40 years until retiring in March.

The business was advertised but, said Coun Humphries, the first inquiries came to nothing.

He feared that he would be left with an empty shop and the loss of the rental income.

Coun Humphries hedged his bets by seeking change of use permission for the shop from retail to takeaway.

The change of use was granted by Kennet's regulatory committee on Thursday despite a number of objections from villagers who said it would be the wrong sort of business in that location.

People living near the shop said that if it became a takeaway it would attract vehicles in the evening with disturbance for those living around.

A number of objectors put up posters saying No Takeaway.

Suzanne and John Hill, who live with their four-year-old daughter opposite the shop, were among the 47 objectors who wrote to Kennet opposing the application.

Mrs Hill said: "We do not want the prospect of a takeaway open seven days a week until 11pm."

She said the shop was near a bad bend on a busy road and a similar application a couple of years ago for premises a few doors away had been turned down partly on traffic grounds.

"Having an evening business will harm our quality of life," she said. "What should I do when I put my child to bed at night with a business operating opposite our house until 11pm? It's far too late."

Planning consultant Shaun Whitefield, speaking on behalf of a number of residents, told the Kennet meeting that a takeaway would not enhance the conservation area and would result in significantly worse traffic.

Coun Rosemary Cummins supported the application and said: "Trade is vital to a village. The viability of a shop, whatever it is, should continue."

Coun Philip Brown said: "One would hope the butcher's shop would continue but the matter is in the hands of the people of Aldbourne and if they use it, it should stay."

Mr Capobianco, who previously worked at a butcher's shop in Devizes Road, Old Town for 20 years, told the Gazette that he wanted to keep the business running.

He added: "At the end of the day it's all very well people putting out posters as long as they support this shop. I hope I will be here for years to come if there is sufficient demand."

Coun Humphries told the Gazette that he was happy to see the butcher's shop continue but said he had to reduce the rent by £1,000 to persuade Mr Capobianco to take the business on. "As long as there is a butcher willing to run the shop I want to keep him," said Coun Humphries.

"He is there for as long as people use him and spend money with him."

The councillor added: "I have to use that building for something because the rent is part of my livelihood."

Coun Humphries took no part in the debates when the parish council raised no objection to his application and he was not present when Kennet voted in favour of it.