Pizza Hut in bid for old Telford ambulance HQ
A former ambulance station in Telford could be turned into an office and fast food outlet in the new year, creating jobs in the town.
Developers Tower 23 Ltds have applied for planning permission to convert the Tweedale Ambulance Station, in Cuckoo Oak Green, Madeley, into three shops, an office and a Pizza Hut take away restaurant.If approved, the development is expected to create several jobs.
But local residents have objected to the scheme, which they say would bring unnecessary traffic and noise .
Ruth Giblin, who lives in Cuckoo Oak Green, said: "My husband and I chose to move here because it is a quiet, safe and quite isolated area – the ideal place to bring up our two young children. However if a pizzeria or shops are built I feel that the quiet and safety of our small community would be in jeopardy.
"Places like this attract traffic for which we have no parking, therefore the only road that we have in and out would be blocked. This is also an emergency access road for the neighbouring fire station – people's lives could be at risk because people are getting pizza.
"This is the wrong place to put this kind of venture. Madeley Centre has empty shops, so why not utilise what we have already have instead of building more?
"The roads around our small estate are poorly maintained and with increased usage they will get worse which we, the residents, will end up paying for with increased council tax."
Madeley Town Council also objected to the proposal.
Town clerk Malcolm Morris said in their letter to the committee: "Concern is expressed at the introduction of a hot food takeaway outlet when it is acknowledged that a sufficiency exists in the local area – High Street, Madeley, hosts seven hot food takeaway outlets."
Plans have been submitted to Telford & Wrekin Council and a decision on whether to grant planning permission is expected to be made in January.
The single-storey building was put up for sale for £150,000 in May as part of a county-wide shake-up of the whole ambulance service.
The vehicles were moved to a new facility at Cuckoo Oak Industrial Estate.
The Tweedale Ambulance Station was converted into a training centre.
By Pam Griffin
