The proposed opening of a new restaurant and takeaway in Rickmansworth is drawing fierce criticism from neighbours and nearby businesses.

Plans to turn the ground floor carpet shop unit in Moneyhill Parade into a hot food takeaway and sit down establishment have met with resistance from people claiming it will exacerbate existing problems with traffic and parking.

Other business owners operating in the parade say another hot food takeaway cropping up on their doorstep will harm their trade.

Serek Akfu, who works at the nearby Kebab Centre, has collected nearly 300 signatures on a petition opposing the change of use, and has handed it over to an officer at Three Rivers District Council, along with an accompanying letter outlining the drawbacks to the plans.

“This parish absolutely has a problem with traffic already,” he said.

“It will just create more problems with traffic and parking. People who live nearby object to it.”

As well as the petition, many residents have written letters directly to the council objecting to the plans.

One Elm Way resident wrote: “At times access to Elm Way is impossible and can be very dangerous for all concerned.

“Elm Way and the surrounding area is being blighted by the constant dumping of litter from the fast food outlets.

“We were very disappointed that we were not informed about the proposed restaurant even though this will have a huge impact on Elm Way, the surrounding area and its residents.”

Another wrote: “The proposal will bring more traffic to the area. It is already difficult to park on some occasions, particularly in the early evening when people have finished work.

“The parade already has several hot food businesses and restaurants.”

However Hertfordshire County Council’s head of highways operations and strategy said he did not consider the proposal would have a significant impact on the local highway network.

The application is currently pending consideration and is due to be decided at a planning development committee meeting later this month.