RESIDENTS have launched a petition to prevent a takeaway opening until the small hours.
Sandwich shop Subway on Westbourne Road at Marsh wants to stay open until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays and until midnight throughout the week.
The shop is just one of 13 fast food establishments within a quarter-mile radius in Marsh. It is part of an international franchise.
Protesters believe the licensing application could 'open the floodgates' for other takeaways on Westbourne Road, increasing litter, noise and anti-social behaviour.
The petition, signed by 60 residents, was submitted to local councillor Mehboob Khan, who has added his own concerns.
The issue is to be debated by Kirklees councillors next Wednesday.
Clr Khan said: "The local community has expressed very deep reservations that the increase of hours to 2am will significantly affect people's quality of life.
"Residents see no need for takeaways to stay open past the normal hours and they have formed an action group to fight the plan.
"In the long term this could affect other premises who may decide to open longer hours.
"This will severely affect noise, nuisance and anti-social behaviour and other issues.
"I and the other councillors, Mohan Sokhal and Barbara Jones, understand the issues and will give the residents 100% backing."
Tracey Worden, managing director of four Subway franchises in Huddersfield said: "We are only replacing an existing takeaway. I and my family are the owners of Subways in Huddersfield.
"We're very conscientious and we hope that our staff and customers do respect other people. We have a notice for staff and customers to respect residents.
"It would be nice if we could work together. We're not monsters. We live in Huddersfield. It's not like we've come in and built a horrible building in the street. It is replacing a rundown building."
