An opening date for a McDonald's which shut to install a new drive-thru has been announced.

The popular fast-food chain in London Road, Greenhithe, will complete months of work and reopen to customers on Thursday, December 8.

Alongside the new drive-thru lane there will be a ground floor extension, new patio area and bin storage.

Plans for the store, which opened in 1988, were approved by Dartford council in 2020 and described as a "great improvement" to the old site.

However, the development has caused concerns for people living nearby after a similar application was rejected in 2018 over fears it would create a "cluttered and urbanised" appearance to neighbouring St Mary's Church.

One resident of nearby Cobham Terrace said they already experienced problems with McDonald's customers dropping food bags and cups along their street, and they fear the problem will only get worse with a new drive-thru.

They added: "The traffic has increased year upon year in the area and I can now hear a constant traffic 'hum' day and night from my home.

"Cars queuing at a drive-thru will increase the amount of fumes in the air.

"Please don't allow this application. As a local resident I am saying I have had enough."

Franchisee owner Paul Shaw appeared before the development control board today where he fielded questions from councillors on how the fast food giant would minimise any negative impact.

The businessman manages all Dartford-based branches with the exception of nearby Bluewater and also runs the McDonald's store in New Road, Gravesend.

Cllr Kelly Grehan raised the issue of air quality with cars parking outside and exhuming fumes in an area of Dartford which already suffers from excess pollution.

The Labour councillor asked whether any signage would be put in place to remind drivers to switch off their engines when stopping.

Mr Shaw gave assurances it would and said any illuminated signage would be kept to a minimum and in any event was to be shielded from view by new trees and foliage.

The McDonalds boss also said there would be daily litter patrols in place to ward off resident concerns, adding "I'm happy to talk to anybody who has any particular concern about any street".