The community is fighting back over the spread of takeaways, after two nearby shops applied for permission to sell fast-food.

As concern grows about the urbanisation of suburban Woodford Green, with a proposal on the table to allow high-rise flats to be built in the area, people have spoken out against the spread of ‘chicken shops’, which are prevalent in inner cities.

Westbury Services Ltd has applied to use the former Giffords Bakery, in High Road, as a late-night cafe and fast-food takeaway.  

Five doors away, Arshad Sangal, owner of Woodford Technology Solutions, a computer repair shop has launched a bid to convert the premises into hot-food takeaway, with opening hours of 1am at weekends. 

Objections have been submitted by residents living in nearby Mill Lane, Mornington Road, Mayfield Avenue, Derby Road and Susanna Musiu of Adriatico Restaurant.  

They fear the take-aways will attract anti-social behaviour, undermine the economy in the area through the loss of a diverse range of businesses and have an adverse effect on children’s health.

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

The director of a Walthamstow builder’s merchant said: "I work in E17 and it is full of kebab shops and chicken shops. 

"It's dire and we do not want it going the same way. 

"There are around 2,000 children that attend school locally and I see them congregate outside the shops after school. The owners are taking advantage of its location within the catchment area. 

"Redbridge council should be following Waltham Forest and Enfield councils in banning new takeaways near schools." 

Elspeth Lawson, of Mill Lane, agreed.

She said: "The application is without merit. To grant further change of use would undermine its community function as a retail High Street. 

"Proximity of fast food outlets to schools is an issue that has received national attention and encouraging those leaving the pub to remain in the area would cause issues with litter and nuisance."  

Neighbouring Waltham Forest council has implemented a ban on new fast-food outlets near schools, parks and other places children congregate.

A Redbridge council spokesman said a similar police could be introduced in the borough.

He said: "The council’s policy requires that no more than 20 per cent of the premises in town centres are used as restaurants and cafes, drinking establishments and hot food takeaways.

"This is restricted further to five per cent for takeaways in the Crossrail Corridor Area of Seven Kings, Goodmayes and Chadwell Heath. 

"The council does not have any specific policy in relation to hot food takeaways and schools, but this is something that could be further considered as part of the Local Plan review for 2015-2018."

A spokeswoman for Woodford County High School for Girls, High Road, would not be affected by the takeaways as "the girls are not allowed out at lunchtime and most of them travel from Ilford so are either picked up after school or get the 3.30pm bus."

For more on this story, see next week's Guardian - out Thursday