Not one but two major fast-food giants could be opening branches in Witham next door to each other.

A few weeks ago, the Evening Gazette revealed tht Peter Tuck, who owns land at the side of family restaurant The Taverner in Cut Throat Lane, was planning to build a multi-storey car park with a fast-food restaurant.

And his plans have just stepped over the first hurdle after town councillors recommended it be approved when it is discussed by Braintree District Council.

This week, McDonald's submitted plans to Braintree Council applying to knock down The Taverner and build a new McDonald's restaurant.

If both plans get the green light it would mean two brand new fast-food restaurants would be operating next door to one another.

A spokeswoman for McDonald's, said: "We have applied for planning permission in Witham on the site of The Taverner."

Nobel House Pubs, which owns The Taverner, did not want to make a comment.

Published Tuesday August 13, 2002

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