EXPERTS say building a state-of-the-art fence would cut the amount of noise residents would hear from a proposed fast food takeaway if it was built on the edge of Colchester.

KFC wants to build the drive-thru restaurant on Ipswich Road, next to the historic Lion and Lamb cottage, creating up to 40 jobs.

Nearby residents, including the cottage owners, have objected to the plans, saying it would affect their quality of life because of the noise coming from the restaurant, which would be open between 6am and 12am.

But now sound experts Sharps Redmore have backed the proposal, saying a two metre-high acoustic fence around the Westpark site would reduce noise from the drive-thru to below the World Health Organisation levels.

A technical report, sent to Tendring District Council, which will decide on KFC’s planning application, said: “Taking into account the acoustic fence around the Lion and Lamb cottage, it is concluded noise from the site will not cause significant impact to the amenity of local residents, including the residents of Lion and Lamb cottage.”

The consultants also said, with the fence in place, noise levels will not go over 51 dB during the day and 53 dB during the night, both of which are below the World Health Organisations’s guidelines of 70 dB.