A number of objections to plans to open a KFC in Leominster have been submitted to Herefordshire Council.
Plans to open a KFC restaurant in the former Clifton Bingo building on South Street in Leominster were submitted in November 2024.
There was a lot of support when the plans were announced on social media, but since then, a number of local residents, as well as Leominster Town Council, have come forward with concerns about the plans.
Leominster Town Council said:
‘Leominster Town Council request that this application is called in to the Herefordshire Council Planning Committee for the following reasons:
‘Concerns about the accuracy of the traffic projections at this busy location between two roundabouts and the associated traffic generation.
‘The proximity of the proposed fast food takeaway to three schools.
‘Concerns about the preservation of the Art Deco Facade and interiors.’
Local resident S Hurst added:
‘Firstly, the application makes many mentions of the site being in a commercial area. However, I would like to point out that there are several residential properties in the immediate area around the site, of which I am one, and no mention of alleviating any impact to us is documented.
‘Regarding traffic to and from the site.
‘Although the applicant has done their own surveys, as a resident of the area, I believe the traffic levels at this location are already difficult enough and at capacity far more than the application indicates, particularly during school term times, weekends and at peak times during the day such as morning, school runs and early evening.
‘The junction to the bus station and Co-op car park is already a very difficult junction without adding additional traffic immediately next door. The previous use as a bingo hall had a very low turnover of traffic. However, having two new food outlets on this site, particularly one as popular as KFC, will create a huge number of additional cars and a much higher turnover.
‘The application states that it will
not attract significant additional visitors, however, I would suggest that KFC is likely to be a very attractive singular destination bringing in people who will travel from outside the immediate area solely to visit this establishment.
‘An outlet like KFC will inevitably bring additional traffic and with it, the associated extra noise and air pollution to those of us who live immediately next to it and the surrounding area.
‘Regarding parking for the site. I feel the small car park is not going to be sufficient for the level of traffic that this outlet is likely to generate. Indeed, the application indicates that Aldi and Co-op car parks are likely to be used by KFC customers.
‘The lack of sufficient parking is likely to result in people parking wherever possible, causing issues for local residents and businesses where their own car parking will be blocked or used without permission,
and on the highway where it will not be possible to permanently monitor people pulling up on the double yellow lines or in the layby/taxi parking opposite to grab their takeaway.
‘Regarding servicing the unit. The application proposes servicing will be done between 11:30pm and 9am. There
are several residents in the immediate area of the building and its car park, including myself where my property adjoins the car park at the rear.
‘Service vehicles using this car park during these hours are likely to cause a
detrimental impact on us, particularly from the noise of the vehicle itself, especially if refrigerated, and the unloading and transportation of supplies into the building.
‘I would strongly hope that deliveries are prevented from being done via the car park during these early hours.
‘Regarding smells and noise pollution. An outlet of this size is likely to create strong and constant smells in the immediate area. I would hope that if any change of use is granted, there are conditions stipulating how these smells will be reduced or removed.
‘An outlet of this type is also likely to generate additional noise which will
impact those of us who live immediately around it which is currently a relatively quiet area particularly in the evening.
‘A high-profile outlet like KFC is likely to become a social meeting point in the car park, particularly in the evening, causing additional noise pollution and disturbance to the neighbouring residential properties.
‘Regarding the car park boundaries. There is mention of placing new trees in the boundaries of the car park. It would be very useful to understand what size of trees will be planted and how their potential impact on the boundary walls will be alleviated.
‘Additionally, some indication of how the boundary wall is going to be protected
from accidental damage from the additional traffic and parking would be useful.
‘Regarding the rear takeaway unit at the back. There is not enough detail on this unit for any planning to be granted, particularly regarding any additional opening hours or the impact to the residential properties which are obviously nearer to this area of the site.
‘’A strong concern is that additional changes will be required or implemented, such as new windows or access points, which will impact the neighbouring residential properties.
‘Or alternatively, that this will be used as a way of providing an unofficial ‘drive through’ style option for the site.’
You can view more information on this application by visiting the Herefordshire Council planning portal and searching for reference number – P242748/F.
