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The opening of a fourth McDonald's in Ashford will create traffic chaos on one of the town's busiest roundabouts, according to critics.
Bosses at the burger giant want to turn a plot of undeveloped land off the notoriously congested Chart Road into a 136-seater site, creating more than 65 jobs.
They submitted a planning application to Ashford Borough Council in September, but the project has sparked an angry backlash from concerned residents who fear the landmark ‘tank roundabout’ will be unable to cope with the extra demand.
When the scheme was lodged, McDonald’s said the development will produce “no material traffic or transportation impacts”, adding “there is no reason why the application should not be recommended for approval on highways grounds”.
But critics have slammed the proposal - with one community group suggesting the plan should be put on hold until the long-awaited Chart Road dual carriageway project is completed.
Nearby business owner Allan Morris, who works in Bridge Road on the Cobbs Wood industrial estate, fears firms based close to the drive-thru site will be "massively inconvenienced" by the project.
"The addition of a McDonald's on this roundabout will bring travel chaos to what is already a very heavily congested intersection," he said.
"This will bring constant trash issues, constant air pollution, and constant noise pollution to the businesses in Bridge Road.
"Due to its out-of-the-way location, there is every likelihood that Bridge Road could become a drag strip for boy-racer types, which would be a threat to people and property."
If given the green light, the 24-hour restaurant will open in 2022, joining other outlets in the high street, Eureka Leisure Park and Orbital Park industrial estate.
The site - which is just 1.2 miles from the Eureka branch - will be accessed via Bridge Road, featuring 53 car parking spaces including two disabled bays.
In November, Kent County Council Highways asked McDonald's bosses to provide more information on the traffic impact, saying the proposal represents an "unacceptable impact on highway capacity at the tank roundabout".
Earlier this month, ADL Traffic and Highways Engineering Ltd, working on behalf of the fast food giant, compiled a new report which provided further details on the traffic and pedestrian surveys submitted with the application.
It said the proposal will result in a "fairly modest" increase in queues on Chart Road but that "there is no justification this comprises a 'severe impact' based on KCC’s own threshold of what it considers acceptable at this junction".
As a result, it says no mitigation measures are required.
ADL concluded that all "highways issues raised have been addressed and there is no reasonable or justifiable basis for Kent County Council not to recommend this application for approval".
As part of the plan, McDonald’s bosses are proposing a pedestrian entrance from Carlton Road and an outdoor 4.5-metre-high children’s play area.
The transport statement submitted with the application states how Chart Road is set to become a dual carriageway between the tank and Matalan roundabouts.
But the scheme has been delayed until at least 2022 - despite scores of trees being felled in 2018 to make way for the project.
In the application, it says the £26m scheme is not expected to be completed until 2024 as the Chilmington Green housing estate developers are yet to stump up a security bond.
As covered by KentOnline last year, a planning condition states the developer’s money will be released once 400 homes are occupied at Chilmington.
In a comment opposing the application, the Central Ashford Community Forum said it "welcomes the additional employment opportunities it brings".
But it added: "The forum has concerns about the impact of this development on the road network, specifically at the tank roundabout where traffic is already above capacity at key points throughout the day.
"With other planning applications already approved that which will only add to the traffic issues in this area, the forum would like to see approval for this delayed until such time as the agreed road works altering Chart Road to a dual carriageway is completed."
In June, plans to knock down the former Lipscomb dealership close to the proposed McDonald’s site were approved.
A complex comprising 65 flats will be built on the plot after councillors lauded the promise of affordability.
Despite the criticism of the restaurant scheme, Mark Piddock, of Faversham Road, Kennington, voiced his support for the plan.
He said: "It provides an alternative to the Eureka Park outlet that is closer to residents of South Ashford and Godinton Park, reducing traffic flow on the already busy Drover's roundabout and M20 Junction 9 interchange.
"It utilises unused wasteland and providing more jobs for local residents too - what's not to like?"
When the plan was first revealed in September, Ashford MP Damian Green said he “absolutely hopes there are appropriate traffic measures put in place so that people aren’t queuing up the road”.
“I rather admire McDonald’s as a company, particularly the way they train people and provide employment opportunities," he added.
“They get a lot of unnecessary stick - I’m happy for anyone to have a business that employs people in Ashford.
“I think people who get sniffy about McDonald’s should think again - they are great at training young people and having another business wanting to open at this time should be commended.”
Elsewhere in Ashford, KFC revealed plans to open its fourth outlet in the town in the summer, earmarking a spot on the Waterbrook Park estate off the A2070 Bad Munstereifel Road for a drive-thru facility.
Like the McDonald's proposal, ABC is yet to make a decision on the scheme.
To view the McDonald’s scheme, visit www.ashford.gov.uk and search for planning reference 20/01306/AS.
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