A NEWSAGENTS which has been vandalised three times this year has had an application to fit shutters turned down because it would ruin the local landscape.

The owners of Harrison’s Newsagents, in Newport Street, are appealing against the decision by Swindon Council and have set up a petition, which has been signed by 300 people.

The council has said the type of shutters suggested in the application was the issue and has offered advice to the owners.

Ramesh Malam, who has run the Old town shop with his wife Hemlata for 11 years, said he could not understand the council’s decision.

He said: “We are open from 4am to 10pm so the shutters would be down for just six hours.

“If you look at the garage on Newport Street – they have shutters, so what is the problem?

“I need the security because for two years now we have been having these problems.

“This year I have had windows smashed and the door kicked in.

“The insurance only paid out once and they suggested shutters. I spoke to my councillors and other people from the council and they gave me forms to fill in.”

After spending £650 on getting a quote for the shutters and putting in the planning application Mr Malam was told they would have a “detrimental impact” on the street scene.

He said: “It’s a strange decision if you look at Newport Street. And I should have a right to stop people smashing my windows.

“How many times do I have to pay for this?”

A Swindon Council spokesman said: “We have never said that this business can’t have shutters or improved security – it’s the type of shutters that are the issue.

“Like many councils we have planning guidelines that deal with the appearance of shopfronts, and this includes shutter design. Other businesses have security shutters that work perfectly well and meet the planning guidelines.

“We gave advice to the applicants about what was and wasn’t acceptable before they put in their application, and told them we were happy to discuss the issue further, but this offer wasn’t taken up.

“Once the application came in, we contacted their agent and again offered to give advice and help, but we didn’t hear anything and the application was therefore refused because it is against planning policy.

“Any criticism of the council is completely unjustified.

“We always try to help applicants so that their plans have the best chance of being approved, but if people choose not to take our advice, they run the risk that their application won’t succeed.”