A divisive bid to open a Kent district’s fifth McDonald’s has sparked concerns too many people in the area are already obese.

The fast food chain has unveiled plans to launch another of its restaurants in Thanet, where almost 70% of people are classified as overweight or worse.

If built on wasteland in Manston Road, Ramsgate, the new drive-thru branch would be within five miles of five other McDonald’s sites.

A public consultation has revealed 60% of people in the area oppose the plans, with many raising fears over the impact on public health and arguing the area does not “need any more unhealthy junk food outlets”.

The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID) says tackling obesity - classed as having a BMI above 30 - is one of England's greatest long-term challenges.

Official figures show 28.8% of adults in Thanet are obese, with this number rising to 69.7% when including those ruled to be overweight - among the highest in the south east.

Residents responding to the bid for a new drive-thru in Ramsgate fear opening more fast food outlets will see those numbers rise further.

One resident said: “There are far too many McDonald's in Thanet already! Not counting the one at Sandwich.

“How is this supporting local food choice? The choices are all junk food! Highly calorific, and we already have a large obese population! Give us something healthy!”

Another added: “McDonald's appears to be targeted towards low-income or young individuals and is not generally considered healthy food. We need less of them not more.”

Ramsgate town centre councillor and curry house owner Raushan Ara (Lab), agrees there are potential health issues, arguing fast food is “not good for anyone”.

“The fewer fast food places - including McDonald's - we have, the better in my opinion,” she said.

“It's up to the individuals, but it's not good to have so many in a small space.”

The new 73-cover restaurant is proposed to be built on a site next to the town’s Tesco superstore, just a few miles from McDonald’s branches in Margate, Minster, Broadstairs - which has two - and Sandwich, in the neighbouring district of Dover.

The density of restaurants run by the fast food giant in the area was the biggest cause for concern of the 244 people who responded to a consultation launched by the chain ahead of submitting its plans to Thanet District Council.

“The last thing Thanet needs is another McDonalds restaurant,” one resident said.

“The Manston area is already looking to suffer from overdevelopment too. Please do more for the local area by not opening another restaurant!”

Another commented: “We do not need a McDonald's in this area. In Thanet, and the very nearby area, we have five McDonald's already within 10 minutes.”

Residents also raised concerns the restaurant would increase traffic and litter in the area, with it proposed to create a new access road using part of the Tesco car park.

But many were in support of the more than 120 new jobs the drive-thru would create.

One said: “I believe that this will be a great benefit to the local area, creating much-needed jobs! Plus it's across the road from me and I love your sausage and egg McMuffins!”

McDonald’s published the consultation responses in its planning application, and has attempted to address each area of concern.

On fears over the impact on people’s health, the firm says it “recognises the importance of public health and shares the collective goal of reducing childhood obesity”.

It adds: “54 per cent of our menu is now classified as not high in fat, salt or sugar and 89 per cent of our items in our core menu contain under 500 calories.”

On traffic concerns, the firm says its proposed drive-thru has been “carefully designed” to accommodate up to 29 cars to avoid queuing in the neighbouring Tesco car park, while three litter-picks a day would be carried out to keep the area clear.

The firm adds: “The proposed development represents a multi-million-pound investment creating jobs both during the construction and operation phases, resulting in many associated economic benefits for the local area.

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

“The proposals provide the opportunity for McDonald’s to meet a long-standing requirement for a restaurant to serve this catchment area, to meet customer demand and introduce additional choice in the market.”

Previously used as a vehicle depot, the site has been empty for several years and is part of a larger plot allocated for 120 homes by the district council.

But McDonald’s says the development land in question is not needed to hit the housing allocation, and believes it is an “ideal location for a new restaurant to serve and support residents”.

McDonald’s recently launched proposals for new sites in Dover, Swanley, Folkestone Services and between Faversham and Canterbury.

Planning decisions are expected to be made later this year.