PLANS that would enable takeaway food stores to set up shop in Lostock have been put on hold for the time being.

Residents have been up in arms over plans to change the use of the vacant units at 469 Manchester Road for the sale of fast food.

The units, near to the Triangle development, are currently only allowed to be used as offices but the owner has been having difficulty letting them out.

In a letter to Vale Royal Borough Council, his agent Downs & Variava wrote: "Despite marketing these units for a considerable period of time the client has been unable to attract sufficient interest due to a number of factors."

It was hoped that widening the potential usage would open the units up to a wider market.

But owner Mr Waheed has been forced to withdraw the application. A spokesman for his agent said the move followed concern over highways matters.

A Vale Royal Borough Council spokesperson confirmed: "It needed to be withdrawn because of several issues with the application that need to be resolved, but we do anticipate a new application to be submitted."

Lostock Parish Council chairman Shaun Wells said the council will keep an open mind until the revised plans are submitted.

"We can't really say anything until we see the new plans then we will review it on its merits," he said.

The borough council's planning control manager Mark Lynch has written to residents in nearby Highfield Avenue advising them of the withdrawal.