The approval of new warehouses is set to bring food and coffee chains to a town, but a decision on a finger-lickin' third will have to wait.

McDonald's and Costa Coffee will both be opening drive-thrus in Snodland after approval from Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council's planning committee last night.

The restaurants were approved as part of plans to develop an industrial estate of four warehouses at Vantage Point North, off Holborough Road.

It is thought the development would create 314 jobs, including 56 at the drive-thrus.

But plans to convert an empty Oast House into a KFC drive-thru have been deferred for a highway assessment to take place.

Cllr Dave Davis, chair of Area 3 Planning Committee, said: "The McDonald's and Costa Coffee drive-thrus were considered as appropriate as they were off the A228.

"Councillors had a lot of questions to do with parking at the KFC site which couldn't be answered on the evidence available.

"It's up to Kent County Council Highways to present more evidence when the application comes before us again.

"The other two applications were part of a much wider application. Industrial estates are massive to the local economy so its important they're organised properly when they're approved."

Chatham and Aylesford MP Tracey Crouch has backed the Vantage Point development but is less keen on the KFC proposals.

She said: "There's already a significant number of hot and cold food outlets in Snodland.

"I don't see why this is one is needed, particularly when there's the proposed development of McDonald's and Costa Coffee in a more appropriate location on the other side of Snodland."

The Oast House earmarked for development has been empty since early 2018 when it was vacated by Britannia windows.

Concerns have been raised over the franchise opening a 10 minute walk from the school.

Malling Road resident Annick West said: "It's no secret to most people nowadays that the fast food industry could be labelled as a public enemy in terms of being a danger to public health.

"Linked obesity, diabetes and cancer, the fried food offered in these restaurants contributes to a deadly amount of salt and saturated fats in our diet."

We have approached Costa Coffee and McDonald's for a comment.

The Next Area 3 Planning Committee takes place on November 21.

Read more: All the latest news from Malling.