Plans to open a takeaway in part of a former fire station have been branded "hazardous" by concerned residents.

Mehmet Gurbuz, who runs two kebab houses in Deal, wants to open a sandwich bar and bakery in Wingham as he believes it will be a "big benefit" to the village.

He hopes to convert the former fire service store room on the A257 - next to the village's ex-fire station - and has submitted his plans to Dover District Council (DDC).

If approved, Mr Gurbuz says he will serve up fast food, sandwiches, coffee and baked goods at the site, which was sold off at auction.

He hopes to open in either July or August and although he has not confirmed his opening times, he believes it will be open from 11am closing between 6pm and 9pm.

There will be no seating in the eatery so it will be takeaway only.

"There is not enough room and it is a very little shop," said Mr Gurbuz, who already runs the Deal Grill and Afyon Charcoal Grill.

"There will be a waiting room for about five people.

'Potential customers entering the premises could be at risk...'

"It will be a nice addition to Wingham; it will be a big benefit."

But concerned residents have objected to the plans after Mr Gurbuz submitted them to DDC.

Amanda Marks says she welcomes new business in the village but thinks the plans pose "significant risks" to pedestrians and drivers.

"There is no safe parking outside the takeaway building on the same side of the road, and limited parking on the opposite side of the road due to double yellow lines," she said.

"If delivery drivers are to park legally, they will have to park elsewhere in the village and walk to the takeaway, without access to a pavement to keep them safe.

"There is no safe pedestrian access as there is no pavement or footpath in this area.

"This places customers, staff and delivery drivers at significant risk of injury due to potential road traffic collisions - even if traffic were to be driving at the speed limit, which is rare."

Christina Coombes is concerned about there being no pavement or parking outside the site.

"Forming a queue to access the takeaway would be hazardous as despite the 20mph enforcement the traffic accelerates around the corner from Wingham high street," she said.

"Potential customers standing or entering the premises could be at risk."

Glenn Goodsell says sight lines for pedestrians and drivers are "compromised" on the bend, which has a junction with the B2046.

'There is no safe pedestrian access...'

"It should also be noted that despite the 20mph speed limit introduced last year, the vast majority of vehicles - particularly after 6pm - pay little heed to the limit," he said.

"This would put customers, delivery drivers and employees at risk, particularly at busy traffic times and when dark outside."

But Mr Gurbuz does not have any concerns about the location of the takeaway.

"The only parking is near the church," he said.

"But it is not a huge place and it is a small shop but I think it will be okay.

"There will be about three people at a time in the shop because it is a little village."

DDC is yet to decide on the application, which was submitted in February.

The main fire station next to the store room was used until the 1970s until a new one was built to cover the village and surrounding areas. It is now a residential property.