Residents in a Northamptonshire village have succeeded in their protest against plans to turn an independent pet shop into a takeaway.

A petition against the proposal, which was signed by 419 local people and businesses, highlighted problems with parking.

The plan for Northampton Pets in Northampton Road, Brixworth, was turned down by Daventry District Council, after it was heard and recommended for refusal by Brixworth Parish Council.

Resident and parish council member Neal Brown said: “We went door-to-door with this petition. The council originally expected to approve the plan, but this shows the democratic power of people winning.

“Northampton Pets is located within a conservation area and on a main road where there is nowhere for customers to park, especially with another similar venue opening next door by the same applicants.

“Even though the shop was only taken over in September, the owner has become a well-liked member of the community and the business had really started to get going.”

The decision by the Daventry council to refust the plan stated: “The use (as a takeaway) would detract from the amenities of the residents in the locality because of increased noise, disturbance, and fumes, increased comings and goings of traffic and would increase potential for anti-social behaviour and crime.”