Plans have been put forward for a village’s first fish and chip shop.

The proposal would see a takeaway open in the building formerly home to lettings agency, Ashton Burkinshaw, in Newington High Street, near Sittingbourne.

It already has 20 car parking spaces, which would remain, and the chippy would be permitted to open from 8am-10pm daily.

One resident commented: “It‘s about time we had something like that. I would rather support a local chippy rather than travel to Sittingbourne to buy some fish and chips.”

Another added: “Having lived in Newington for 30 years, all I have ever heard people say is we could really do with a chip shop so this is actually quite exciting news!”

A third person said the proposal was “great” as “having a chippy will create jobs in the village.”

It comes a year after a popular fish and chip van operating in the Sittingbourne area, Al’s Chippy, closed amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Boss Alex Moore said he didn’t want to pass the sky-rocketing price of fish – which had gone up 60% in just three months, onto his customers.

He said it would have forced a standard meal up to £14 if he was to stay profitable.

The building the news in the Newington Conservation Area, meaning a heritage statement detailing the significance of the development is still needed before the application can be approved.

Initial advice by planning officers noted they were “generally satisfied with the proposal” when pre-application talks began.

A decision is due to be made by June 23.