Plans for a new McDonald's drive-thru at one of its existing restaurants have been approved – subject to new litter patrols.

An application from the fast-food chain was submitted to Dartford council earlier this year outlining its vision for a takeaway service to be added to the site at London Road, Greenhithe.

The proposals set out blueprints for a ground floor extension to the store, which opened in 1988, to create "a new drive thru lane" at the existing building near the roundabout.

It also includes provision for new site access with the re-arrangement of the current car park, as well as extra amenities including a patio area and bin storage.

Councillors today voted in favour of the plans which they said were a "great improvement" to the current offering.

But concerns had been raised by those living in nearby streets and an initial application was rejected in 2018 amid claims it would create a "cluttered and urbanised" appearance to the nearby St Mary's Church.

There are also traffic concerns with hundreds seen queuing on mass for reopened McDonald's Drive Thrus in other parts of Kent last month.

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".

At the 2018 application hearing the maintenance of the store's outside aesthetic was given added weight by councillors considering the proposals.

The building dates back to the 1700s and was previously a pub known as The Railway Hotel.

Last week the store featured as part of the TV series Long Lost Family where 56-year-old lorry driver Simon Jeffery found out his true identity after having been abandoned outside the pub in 1963.

Cllr Brian Garden (Con) praised Mr Shaw and approved of his company's plans which he said had shown a marked improvement on those previously submitted.

He said: "What we have here now is a very different application from the one we had before.

"I look forward to seeing it as a great success going forward."

Councillors voted eight in favour of the proposals with one abstention due to technical difficulties.

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