A STRUGGLING restaurant has been refused an application to extend its opening hours despite not a single objection being raised.

Farida Yesmin, owner of the Rajpoot in Tarpots, Benfleet, was frustrated when Castle Point Council turned down its bid to open until 10.30pm on Sundays and bank holidays.

The Indian restaurant is only allowed to stay open until 4pm on those days, but the authority refused the application on the grounds of increased noise and disturbance to people living nearby.

Mrs Yesmin said her restaurant had bent over backwards to comply with planning obligations, submitting 29 questionnaires from customers, nearby businesses and residents, who all backed the proposal.

Furthermore, the council did not receive a single objection despite consultation letters being sent out to neighbouring residents.

Mrs Yesmin said: “What more can we do? It was quite stressful getting all those documents together and they have been ignored.

“It’s a real struggle at the moment and we believe extending our hours on Sundays would be worth an extra £1,000 each week.

“In the current economic climate you would have thought it would be in the council’s interests to support a family business. We employ ten people and we pay our rates.”

It was the third time the business has applied to extend its opening hours, although the first time it has done so under its current ownership.

The council was particularly concerned about noise generated from customers using a nearby car park, which is close to homes.

However, Mrs Yesmin said her staff encouraged people to use a 60-bay car park behind the restaurant, which is well away from homeowners.

She also pointed out the nearby Harvester restaurant and Rileys Pool Bar are both allowed to stay open late on Sundays.

She added: “I really don’t see what difference it would make.”