Major fast food retailer Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) has been given the go-ahead by Bromsgrove planners to open a new outlet in Bromsgrove.
The planning application to demolish the Sugarbrook pub on the junction of Charford Road, Stoke Road and the A38 and build the restaurant, was discussed at the latest meeting of Bromsgrove District Council’s planning committee held on Monday.
The application, submitted by Savill agents for the giant US-based corporation, was for an outlet that would be open between 8am-11pm Monday-Thursday, 8am-11.30pm Fridays and Saturdays, and 10am-11pm on Sundays and bank holidays.
Various issues of concern had been raised over the proposal, which led Charford councillor, Sean Shannon, to request that the application be considered by the committee.
Coun Shannon spoke at the meeting and said, while he was not campaigning against KFC, the proposed site was too close to Charford First and South Bromsgrove High schools, and to people’s homes.
Coun Shannon said: “What message does a drive-thru fast food restaurant send out to the pupils?”
Paul Richards, chairman of the Bromsgrove branch of Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), also spoke saying the group was against the application as it did not want to see the loss of the Sugarbrook pub.
But a representative for the agents rejected the argument over the loss of the pub saying to consider this a fundamental issue was erroneous.
During the committee members' debate, Councillor Chris Scurrell said two schools nearby were working very hard to influence children to eat healthily, something he found difficult to ignore.
His concerns were shared by Councillor John Tidmarsh, who said the KFC would be putting temptation in the way of pupils.
But Councillor Rod Laight said people should have enough information to make up their own minds, a view shared by Councillor Pete Lammas.
Coun Lammas added he welcomed the application as it was from a major firm and would create 41 new jobs.
A vote was taken and committee members approved the application.
