Fast food giant McDonald’s wants to open another restaurant and takeaway in Gillingham.

A total of 65 new jobs would be created at the 4,009 sq ft store in Courteney Road, between Tesco and Dobbies Garden World.

McDonald’s has asked for planning permission and if approved, the restaurant, which will have a drive-through and 26 car parking spaces, will create 35 full-time and 30 part-time jobs.

Medway Council have received another application from McDonald’s for a 12 metre totem sign, which in the drawings, says “open 24 hours” but the main application form does not specify what the opening times will be.

The fast food chain already has six restaurants in Medway with the closest 1.7 miles away in Beechings Way, Twydall, and another in Gillingham High Street, 2.6 miles down the road from the proposed site.

McDonald’s has other restaurants in Chatham High Street, Medway Valley Leisure Park, Commercial Road, Strood, and in Anthony’s Way, Medway City Estate.

Cllr Mike O’Brien, ward councillor for Rainham Central, said: “I haven’t had any representations made to me, there’s a KFC already in the road, it’s not near a school and the problem of litter is not too bad.

“It does provide jobs for young people and it’s pretty much out of the way in Courteney Road.”

A McDonald’s spokesman said: “We can confirm plans have been submitted for a new restaurant on Courteney Road, Gillingham. If approved the new restaurant would bring significant investment to the local area.”

Also in the plans this week are 13 flats to replace a pub in Chatham which is about to call last orders for the final time.

Corky Bamrah , owner of The Fox in Ordnance Street, has said it is no longer viable to keep the pub open.

He became landlord of the pub 20 years ago and bought the free house three years ago but said declining trade and the smoking ban were to blame for the closure. “It’s a shame, it’s a good, clean pub but it’s just not viable anymore,” he said. “The regulars have moved anyway and more people are drinking indoors –most nights we can close at 9pm.

The application will see the pub demolished and a three and four storey block of flats built in its place.

Mr Bamrah said he hadn’t set an official closing date for the pub yet.

“We’re just waiting on the decision but the pub will shut anyway, regardless of the decision.”