Plans for a drive-thru fast food restaurant have been thrown out over concerns about parking.

An application to convert the Oast House in Hollow Lane, Snodland, into a branch of KFC was rejected 18 votes to one by a planning committee of Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council (TMBC) last night.

Cllr Dave Davis, who is chairman of the committee, said the decision to deny approval for the finger-lickin' franchise came down to concerns about whether there would be adequate parking for both staff and customers.

More than 300 locals responded to fried chicken chain's planning application, with little more than two dozen voicing their support for the proposal.

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch was one of those who had written to TMBC declaring opposition to the plans for the restaurant just off Malling Road.

She expressed concerns over how close the fast-food outlet would be to homes and schools, as well as the impact on traffic.

Reacting to the decision to reject the plans, she said: "I am really pleased that this proposal has been refused.

"Having a fast food drive-thru in a residential road and extremely close to a school was not a good idea so the Council were right to oppose it."

A KentOnline poll of more than 1,100 people had found the majority would like to see a KFC open in the town.

The planned restaurant included a drive-thru lane, 29 car parking spaces and would have created 45 part and full time jobs.

Opening hours would have been between 11am and 11pm, while the developer hoped to make the most of the existing houses for the restaurant's appearance.

However many residents expressed concerns about the impact on the area, from increased traffic to the potential for littering by inconsiderate diners.

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