PLANS to build a controversial fast food takeaway on the edge of Colchester have been refused.

KFC’s proposals to build the new drive-thru in Ipswich Road was recommended for approval but councillors rejected the plans by six votes to four at a crunch meeting last night.

Residents have welcomed the decision, made by Tendring District Council, saying it would have been wrong if the plans had been approved.

They had warned the new restaurant, which would create up to 40 jobs, would be inappropriate for the area, would increase litter and noise and make the stretch of road unsafe because it would become too busy.

Neil Stock, Tendring district councillor for Ardleigh, who asked for KFC’s application to be debated, added: “Just about everyone who the application would affect was against it and it would have been foolish if it had been approved.

“However, we must be wary, the process is not exhausted and we should probably expect an appeal from KFC but I am confident in the council and we would be in a good place to fight it.

“There was a general view the development would destroy the lives of neighbours, with cars coming and going, late night and early morning noise and litter and in the end, the committee came to the right conclusion.”

The application was recommended for approval subject to a number of conditions, such as limiting opening hours to between 6am and 11pm every day, the introduction of a litter plan and the installation of CCTV.

A spokeswoman for KFC added: "We were obviously disappointed our planning application for the Ipswich Road site was rejected as we believe that KFC would be a positive addition to the community.

"We are currently considering our options, so we can't comment further at this time."