RESTAURANT chain KFC has urged an inspector to overturn plans denying it permission to build a drive-thru on the edge of Colchester.

Earlier this year councillors threw out the bid for Ipswich Road amid concerns it was too close to a historic cottage and Premier Inn hotel.

This was despite planners at Tendring Council recommending it should be approved.

KFC subsequently appealed the decision last month and has now called on the inspector to approve the bid saying it has “robustly demonstrated” its merits.

The fast food giant has spent more than five years – and two planning applications – battling to get the drive-thru given the green light.

 

Plans for the scheme previously went undetermined by Tendring Council in 2013 and were subsequently thrown out by a Government planning inspector.

A report prepared by Gary King, of Sharps Redmore, on behalf of KFC said noise levels from the drive-thru would be “significantly below the guideline values and also below the existing noise levels.”

It added the impact to people staying at the hotel would be “negligible” as they rarely stay on site for long periods.

In its appeal statement KFC said this meant “the proposals will not result in unacceptable adverse impacts” on people living in the historic Lion and Lamb cottage.

Tendring Council said it accepted the planning committee’s decision differed from the recommendation by officers.

But it said hotel customers would be adversely impacted by cars using the drive-thru order system.

Its appeal statement said: “The revisions to the proposal are not considered to fully overcome the harm that would result from the development in terms of noise and disturbance to nearby residents and the guests of the hotel.”

Although previously made representations will be passed on to the planning inspector, residents have until Wednesday to make any further representations to the inspectorate.

To do so visit acp.planninginspectorate.gov.uk or email EAST1@pins.gsi.gov.uk with your comments. All correspondence should quote reference number APP/P1560/W/18/3203537.

The final decision will be made by a planning inspector by written representations at the request of KFC.