Portsmouth convenience store Top Store in old Chutney Tandoori unit in Somers Town applies for planning permission to Portsmouth City Council despite already having opened in November

RB Retail & Licensing Services has applied for the change of use of the Somers Road unit for Top Store, which opened in November, from a takeaway, granted in 2006 which dates back to its previous use by Chutney Tandoori.

The council has granted a licence to the shop, allowing it to sell alcohol from 7am until 11pm seven days a week - an earlier closing time than the takeaway had.

A statement submitted with the planning application said this, combined with the council's planning policy, meant it should be approved.

'The [Local Plan] is informative and suggests shops should be given a measure of protection and...retail use should, we believe, be supported and welcomed,' it says. 'This was supported by the absence of any residential objection...[to] the recent licensing application.'

Council environmental health officers have no objection.

The decision will be made by June 23.