don Holdings first submitted plans for a 24-hour, fast-food restaurant on the former Laindon Hotel site, in High Road, at the beginning of last year, but they were refused after a string of objections from residents.Proposals resurfaced with restricted opening times from 10.30am until midnight but they were also turned down by Basildon Council amid concerns about traffic, noise and litter.
The developers lodged an appeal and a final decision will now made following a two day planning enquiry.
Campaigner Samantha Marsh, 41, of Little Oxcroft, Laindon, urged residents to attend.
She said: “We have been fighting this for nearly a year now. It’s going to affect the whole community especially in terms of vermin, traffic and smell. There is also bound to be groups of people loitering around.
“We’re worried if they get the go-ahead it will only be a matter of time before they want to make it 24 hours again.
“We’re not against development, we just think homes would be better on the site. A KFC would be fantastic in the Laindon Centre instead and I think everyone would be more than happy with that.”
The public enquiry will take place at Basildon Council office, in St Martins Square, today and Wednesday.
