PIZZA lovers are up in arms after Ledbury Town Council opposed the opening of a major chain in town.

Lovers of Domino's Pizza are outraged Ledbury town council recommended refusal of a proposed new outlet for the American chain in the former ambulance station, off Bye Street.

Some Ledbury residents see the decision as a clash between an out of touch old guard and the younger generation.

But town councillors said they feared nearby residents would be disturbed by noise from the outlet and it could cause "severe" traffic problems.

Resident Craig Mckechnie (CORR) ran an online poll on the Voice of Ledbury site on Facebook, which attracted 172 responses - the vast majority of respondents were in favour of the Domino's proposal.

Richard Thick posted: "Ledbury Town Council couldn't be more out of touch with the people of Ledbury than they currently are. I feel they don't consider anybody under the age of 40 as relevant."

Claire Ellis posted: "Ledbury does seem to be going backwards. When I was younger we had the milk bar, a youth club and a weekly dance at the community centre. There's nothing for teenagers now which is a disgrace really."

At last week's economic development and planning committee town councillors, apart from Tony Bradford, who abstained, voted to recommend refusal to Herefordshire Council's planning committee, which will now have the final say.

Resident Jen Davis posted: "Let's just face it, were not going to get it; what the councillors don't want, doesn't happen and it's us who suffers. I think there should be a public meeting soon so we can tell them what the people of this town actually wants."

Cllr Bradford said young people had been contacting him, voicing concerns, but added: "I abstained because I wanted a site visit and to be sure whether or not there are planning issues.

"I cannot see any drastic planning issues. That area is designated a retail area under the Neighbourhood Plan."

The chairman of the town's planning committee, Cllr Bob Barnes, said local residents should make their views known to Herefordshire Council's planning committee, before the crunch planning meeting.

He said: "The town's planning committee felt there would be disturbance and loss of amenity for those living nearby. Ledbury Nursing Home is directly opposite, and the site is adjacent to the fire station."

Cllr Barnes said councillors feared "severe traffic problems", and added: "Most councillors objected about the traffic problems that would be generated, with deliveries and delivery vehicles going in and out all the time."

And town councillors were also concerned about the possible impact on jobs for existing food outlets in the town.

The application, P170526/F, is for change of use to turn the old ambulance station into a hot food takeaway, and the target determination date for Herefordshire Council is April 17.

Domino's Pizza believes that the proposed outlet would have a "minimal impact" on local traffic.

In the planning application statement, Domino's assistant planner, Nicola Waller said: "The site is in a sustainable and accessible location. There are five parking spaces on site as well as a parking area opposite, for approximately five cars. In addition, there is a public car park to the north of the site.

"As such it is considered that the proposed development would have a minimal impact on the existing highways network."