McDonald’s could return to a Kent town as bosses have earmarked a former leisure centre site for a new drive-thru.

The burger giant left Dover seven years ago but says there is now a “long-standing need” for one of its venues in the area.

It has submitted plans for a 118-seater restaurant on the vacant Dover Leisure Centre site on the corner of Townwall Street and Woolcomber Street.

Part of the prime plot is currently used as a car park but McDonald’s chiefs say there will be no impact on the district’s overall parking provision if the scheme gets the green light.

The project will include 55 spaces - including 10 for electric car charging - and will create 120 jobs.

In planning documents submitted to Dover District Council (DDC), bosses say the move “represents a multimillion-pound investment by a national operator in Dover”.

“We want to meet customer demand and introduce additional choices in the market,” states Planware Ltd on behalf of McDonald’s.

“The site represents an appropriate location for a drive-thru, which will be well placed to offer refreshments to passing customers and those in the surrounding area.”

McDonald’s previously had a restaurant in Biggin Street in Dover town centre, but it shut down in November 2017 and is currently empty.

At the time, the company said the decision to close “was not taken lightly” and 45 staff members were offered posts at other locations.

The closure of the restaurant came almost exactly on the 30th anniversary of its opening in autumn 1987.

The next nearest McDonald’s is currently on the A2 in Whitfield, four miles away.

DDC leader Cllr Kevin Mills says he respects that some people “love” the takeaway chain, but he is personally not in favour of the scheme.

The Labour representative said: “I have to say it’s disappointing, but I don’t doubt there will be demand.

“I’m concerned about traffic congestion, as we already have a lot of that in Dover, and the land could have been better used.

“Even an extension of parking could have been better.”

The site - which is not owned by DDC - is just a stone’s throw from the town’s port.

Cllr Mills added: “I’m sure there will be people who love McDonald’s, but I can’t remember the last time I had one.

“I guess it will bring employment for young people, but at the end of the day - it’s McDonald’s.”

If DDC approves the plans, the chain says the site will offer a “relaxed modern environment”.

“The dining area will include a variety of seating types and table sizes tailored to the customers' needs,” documents add.

Bosses say the building will be constructed with sustainable materials, and will be shades of grey and brown.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

Dover Leisure Centre had stood on the site for four decades before it was torn down.

It was quickly replaced by a new £26 million facility in Whitfield.

A decision on the application will be made by planning officers at DDC.