TWO Blackburn businessmen are set to have takeaway plans turned down amid continuing concern over hot food pongs in the town centre.

But planning committee chairman Coun Dave Smith stressed that there was not a deliberate policy of clamping down on new fast food outlets.

Blackburn with Darwen Council planners have recommended Yakub Rabat's bid to convert a former bakery in Bastwell and Samir Ali's attempt to open a takeaway in Accrington Road should be refused.

The committee is due to meet next Thursday -- six weeks after some members revealed that residents were complaining about smells.

Coun Paul Browne, LibDem leader at Blackburn with Darwen, told the earlier meeting that people from all over the borough complained.

A report said Mr Rabat's plan would have a detrimental impact on nearby houses as a result of increase in noise.

No direct reference was made to smells but officers also claimed that the application, which was delayed from an earlier planning meeting, was too close to a busy road junction and that there were already six other take-aways in close proximity.

Planners recommended that Mr Ali's be rejected because of road safety fears and possible problems with customer parking.

Coun Dave Smith, said the council was aware of residents' concerns. He added: "We have a policy that says if you get too many takeaways in one block. the council can say it is not viable.

"There can be an argument that says having too many takeaways in one place can detract from the character of the area."

However, Coun Smith was keen to stress that, although he was aware of people's concerns, the council was not clamping down on food shops.

A third application from Julie Ibrahim to convert a cycle shop in King Street has been recommended for approval by officers, despite objections from residents.