CONTROVERSIAL plans for a KFC restaurant and drivethrough have been resurrected for a fifth time.

Laindon Holdings has launched an appeal after Basildon Council’s cross-party planning committee threw out an application for the scheme on the former Laindon Hotel site, in High Road, Laindon, earlier this year.

The firmhas been fighting for the fast food business since 2012, but faced tough opposition from determined residents who are concerned about noise, traffic, litter and disruption.

Bob Taylor, 66, of Bedford Road, Laindon, who has led the ongoing campaign, said he is not surprised the developershave come backwith an appeal.

He added: “Hundreds of people objected before and that means KFC could lose a lot of customers if they go ahead with this development.

“I’m not against local jobs for local people or newbusinesses coming to the area, but it needs to be in the right location.

“If this development goes ahead it will be the first fast food outlet to be built alongside houses, so it could open the floodgates around the country. I have already fought this and I will do it again.”

A petition containing 474 signatures, and another 112 individual objections, were handed into Basildon Council ahead of the tense planning meeting in April.

Many residents believe the restaurant should instead be located at the dilapidated Laindon Centre, to kickstart long-awaited regeneration.

Laindon Holdings first applied for a 24-hour KFC at the beginning of 2012, but the development was refused following a string of objections.

The proposals resurfaced in November 2012, with revised opening times, and an appeal was lodged after these were turned down.

In May 2013, Government planning inspector Isobel McCretton upheld the council’s decision on the grounds the design and appearance of the restaurant was not suitable for the residential area.

Laindon Holdings refused to go away and in the latest bid earlier this year, increased the height of the proposed building and opted for a traditional brick design – it is this failed application that has now been taken to appeal.

The developers are currently putting 13 new homes on land next to the application site.

John Scarola, Labour councillor for Laindon Park, said: “This is the fifth time this has come up now and I just can’t understand what is going on. That land is for putting properties on, not for a KFC.

“It’s ludicrous. What more have we got to do?”