THE dilemma over the future of East Street in Warminster took another twist as a takeaway's bid to move-in failed.

Claims that shops in the street are failing into a dramatic state of disrepair with available space being consumed by takeaway outlets were made at the southern area committee meeting.

One of the main gateway's into Warminster, East Street has become a virtual shopping ghetto with boarded up shops and takeaway stores taking over the street scene.

However, David Bell, agent for the takeaway, said the area needed investment as 40 per cent of the vacant shops in Warminster were located down East Street.

He said: "It is an area that urgently requires investment. The proposal offers this step, with £15,000 to £20,000 of building investment available.

This will give the area much needed confidence and funding.

"Six part-time jobs would be created in a town where the unemployment rates are too high."

Before the meeting Warminster Civic Trust member, Elisabeth Collyns told district councillors if they refused the takeaway application, the trust would fund the renovations and refurbishment of the vacant store.

She said: "The amount of cars parking illegally have increased in recent weeks with people waiting for takeaways. Residents have to clear sackfulls of disgusting rubbish every week.

"We are trying to restore the street scene of East Street which a long time ago was a prime area of the town."

Cllr Chris March said East Street was an important area which needed close attention.

He said: "This scheme from the Civic Trust links 9 East Street with improvements to 7 East Street, which is advancing and is more appropriate than another takeaway."

Cllr Cathy Day said a scheme first suggested two years ago to make East Street a one-way street was all part of a regeneration project for the area.

She said: "I am very keen we don't fill the whole street with takeaways which I feel would inhibit the whole scheme."

Cllr John Syme said: "The problems with traffic will only get worse. "I want East Street to be mixed use, not one glorified takeaway street."

Counsellors turned down the takeaway scheme meaning Warminster Civic Trust will take on 9 East Street as their next project, implementing a refurbishment scheme and selling the shop on at a later date.

The mystery surrounding the ownership of 7 East Street is also rumbling on, with the state of the boarded up shop adding to the crumbling street scene.