THE Mayor of March, Councillor Jan French, is already voicing concerns about the new KFC fast food restaurant and drive through that has been given planning permission for a site on Wisbech Road at Westry.

She is worried about the late opening hours granted to the restaurant, and the possibility of noise and litter nuisance being caused to neighbours.

“I don’t think may people were consulted about the application,” she said. “This is a residential area and Westry is a village. I am concerned about noise, and extra traffic being generated.”

KFC has been given permission by Fenland District Council to open from 7am to 11pm, Monday to Friday; and on Saturday it will open from 7am through to 1am on Sunday morning. Opening hours for Sundays and bank holidays will be 7am to 11pm.

Cllr French added: “I do not oppose the application itself, but I was disappointed with the opening hours, it would be better if it closed at midnight on Saturdays. If it turns out to be a problem, we will start to complain, but we must give them a chance.”

The KFC site is near the trading estate, to the north of the entrance to The Cobblestones pub, and adjacent to residential development. The development will include a single storey building, 34 car parking spaces and a one way internal road system.

The Crime Prevention Design Team says that fast food outlets can lead to disorder or antisocial behaviour; and two people who sent their objections to the council were objected to the plan were concerned about litter, and noise from “boy racers,” and asked for speed calming measures and CCTV.

Conditions attached to the planning permission say that a refuse collection strategy and a ventilation scheme must be approved by the council. Landscaping of the site must include a pedestrian footpath along the southern and eastern boudary of the site and existing trees and hedges must be retained.