Plans to turn two high street shops into fast food takeaways have been blocked following community opposition. 

Redbridge council has rejected proposals to convert a former bakery and a computer repair shop in High Road, Woodford Green. 

In October, Westbury Services Ltd applied to use the former Giffords Bakery as a late-night cafe selling fast-food. 

Around the same time, owner Arshad Sangal, of Woodford Technology Solutions, located five doors away, applied to convert his shop into a takeaway, with opening hours of 1am at weekends. 

Members of the community opposed the plans, citing fears of increased anti-social behaviour, a loss of diversity in the high street and concerns over rising obesity among children. 

Dozens of bjections were submitted by people living in nearby Mill Lane, Mornington Road, Mayfield Avenue, Derby Road and Susanna Musiu, of Adriatico Restaurant in High Road.   

Although the council has no policy banning new fast-food outlets near schools, no more than 20 per cent of premises in town centres can be used as restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments and hot food takeaways.

The Giffords Bakery plan was refused on November 27 and Woodford Technology Solutions on November 25. 

Gary Swain, of Mayfield Avenue in Woodford Green, set up the Facebook page 'NO MORE Chicken Shops' in response to the applications. 

He said: "Myself and everyone are pleased with the outcome; we just hope the bakery is turned into something useful for the community.

"The High Road is already at saturation point, the takeaways were simply not needed.

"It seems the council have respected our wishes and listened to what is best for everyone."

A spokesman for the council said: "Redbridge Council takes great pride in its high streets and key shopping areas and so we have a policy that 70 per cent of units in key retail areas should be for retail use.

"Both applications proposed a change of use from retail use to a take-away within the Woodford Green key retail area. 

"If the applications had been approved, the proposed schemes would have reduced the level of retail use to below 70 per cent and so they were not supported. 

"There were also concerns about the cumulative impact of take-aways on nearby homes."