Plans for a hot food takeaway on a busy village high street have been snubbed by councillors.
In recent months, a planning application was lodged for 21 Church Street in Coxhoe - which formerly operated as a baby clinic.
While council officers argued a takeaway would bring the vacant property back into use and recommended the plans for approval, councillors were not convinced.
And fumes, food waste storage and parking were just some of the issues raised at a Durham County Council meeting to decide the application.
During consultation, councillors heard nearly 20 objections had been submitted from neighbours and the parish council.
City of Durham MP, Roberta Blackman-Woods, also wrote a letter to planners questioning the need for a hot food takeaway in the area, given the obesity rates in the county.
At a meeting of the Central and East Area Planning Committee on Tuesday (July 9), Coxhoe division councillors made passionate calls for the plans to be rejected.
For all objectors, the location of the takeaway was a sticking point due to the potential impact on nearby businesses - including a designer bridal shop.
Coun Stuart Dunn said the plans would be "completely and utterly out of character" in the section of the street.
While Coun Jan Blakey said there were already 11 existing hot food establishments within half-a-mile of the site.
"This property wouldn't have any economy impact because there are so many fast food outlets out there," she said.
"I can only see the downcome of what would happen to our other businesses which have brought our high street up a couple of notches."
Coun Maura McKeon added: "We're going from something that helped our children and young people get the best start in life, down to something which could contribute to some of the terrible health inequalities that affect parts of our village."
Other concerns included the takeaway attracting anti-social behaviour, littering and the amount of food waste and how it would be disposed.
Following discussion, the planning committee voted to reject the application on several grounds.
This included adverse impact on neighbours in terms of smell and noise, access arrangements and the impact on the "street scene."
Coun David Freeman added: "When this council passed the County Plan, the press release said how the council would be getting tough with takeaways.
"Clearly we don't seem to be getting tough with this application.
"We know takeaways do not contribute to health benefits, even if this report suggests there are some planning benefits."
Applicant Paul Bell, who failed to attend the meeting, has the right to appeal the decision.
