APPLICATIONS from two food shops to move premises in Ferryhill met with mixed fortunes.

Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee discussed the change of use applications for premises next to each other in Darlington Road.

The owner of a sandwich shop and cafeteria asked to move her business across the street to number 12.

The site is a predominantly residential area, but planning officer Charlie Walton said: "We are recommending approval because we do not feel it would be detrimental to residential amenity."

A representative of the business said it would be extremely difficult to convert the existing premises to be fully accessible for disabled people.

The second application was for a hot food takeaway at 11 Darlington Road.

Under the proposal, existing premises two doors down would be closed, but planning officers said consent for its use as a takeaway would remain, leaving the door open for a similar business to move in.

Mr Walton said shops of this type cause problems of late night noise and disturbance which could be tolerated in a town centre but not in a residential area.

Councillors approved the sandwich shop application, but narrowly refused the takeaway proposal.