MCDONALD'S has gone cold on controversial plans for a new outlet beside the River Medway in Maidstone. Now two fast food joints may now be on the menu instead.

The fast food retailer has pulled out of seven-month long negotiations with the company awarded planning permission for a restaurant on the vacant St Peter Street site in February.

In a bid to attract two operators to run the development jointly, Electricity Supply Nominees has now lodged a new planning application to increase the size of the building by 20 percent and split it vertically.

The company's representative, Tim Waters, said: "Because we have had quite a few expressions of interest it is quite possible that we might end up having two tenants.

"It's likely to be fast food and that kind of activity. There could be a pizza restaurant but it could equally be two fast food tenants."

Talks to operate two outlets in the building on derelict land at St Peter's Wharf are underway with at least one large fast food operator. McDonald's are not considering any alternative sites in the county town.