RESIDENTS fear the opening of a take away will lead to the rat running of motorbikes in their streets.

Domino’s Pizza has submitted a planning application to Lewisham Council for the opening of a new restaurant in the old bank on Honor Oak Park.

However, proposals have met fierce opposition from locals who say it will ruin the area.

A petition calling on the council to reject plans has been signed by 400 people and a further 270 people have written to the planning department.

Campaigner Teresa Redmond, 41, said: “A Domino's delivery hub of this size will cause rat running of noisy bikes up our quiet back streets which have been closed off for years to protect the well-being of people living here.

“We are not against Domino’s in general, but just don’t understand why they need to use that site which is also a nice historic building.”

Father-of-two Sean Brosnan who lives above the proposed takeaway with his family said: "We are worried regarding the noise and fumes from the bikes which will be parked feet from our bedroom windows.

“The mopeds are likely to cut across the no-through road onto the pavement posing a risk to pedestrians and children playing outside."

Councillor Jackie Addison said: “These proposals have generated the most number of objections I know of because of the strength of feeling locally.

“It will have a detrimental effect on the character of Honor Oak Park and its parade of good quality shops.”

A spokesman for Domino’s Pizza said: “We have been looking for a suitable site in Honor Oak for some time and the proposed location, which has been vacant for over six months, is ideal.

“We are aware that there is some local resistance and we are keen to work with planners, and listen to local residents’ concerns, to ensure signage is in keeping with and sympathetic to the building.”

A date has not yet been set for the matter to appear before the council’s planning board, but it expected before the end of the month.