‘New KFC bid for Ipswich Road will make it more dangerous’

Earlier this year councillors rejected the bid for land at Ipswich Road, amid concerns it was too close to an historic cottage and a Premier Inn hotel.

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

KFC appealed against the decision to refuse permission in November and has now called on the government planning inspector to approve the bid saying it has “robustly demonstrated” its merits.

But former town MP Sir Bob Russell said he had “serious concerns” about road safety if the drive-thru went ahead.

In his objection letter, Sir Bob said: “Similar applications have been refused in the past, including rejection by the Planning Inspectorate of a previous appeal.

“I trust that consistency will prevail, and that this latest decision for refusal by Tendring councillors will be upheld by the inspector.

Bob Russell missed Walton railway station's 150th anniversary party after trains were cancelled

“I wish to support the reasons for refusal given by Tendring Council.

“I wish to stress, in particular, my serious concerns about road safety in what is an extremely busy road near the A12/A120 Ardleigh Crown interchange.

“A further opening onto this road, attracting a significant increase in traffic movements into and out of the site, can only make road safety an even more serious situation than is currently the case along this stretch of busy, fast-moving, traffic, which I know well.”

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 an inspector.

The deadline for comments has now passed.

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