A RESIDENTS’ campaign to block plans for a 24-hour KFC drive-through may have paid off.

Basildon Council planning officers have recommended council chiefs refuse permission to build the new fast food restaurant on the former Laindon Hotel site in High Road, Laindon, following objections from neighbours.

Although the final decision has yet to be signed off by Stephen Hillier, chairman of the council’s development control committee, residents are celebrating the latest development.

Mother-of-two Samantha Marsh, 41, of Little Oxcroft, says the KFC, which promises to create 55 jobs, would back on to her home.

She said: “I am very strongly against this.

“My main concern is it would not be good for the community and local businesses already there.

“It would be an eyesore and lead to noise, litter and vermin. The volume of traffic would be a problem and I just do not think it would fit in with the community. A 24-hour KFC in just not right in the middle of a residential area, where you have young families.”

Officers have cited four grounds for refusal in a report to Mr Hillier.

They say the KFC would be outside the town centre area, which goes against national guidance and local planning policy, and the proposed layout would have a detrimental impact on the local area.

In addition, they say opening seven days a week would result in noise and disturbance late into the evening, affecting neighbouring residents, and claim the proposals do not include enough parking spaces or an appropriate turing for service vehicles, leading to traffic problems on High Road.

John Dornan, Tory councillor for Laindon Park, is backing residents in their opposition.

He said: “We want to see the site regenerated, but this is the wrong location for a KFC.

“People are concerned it will lead to boy-racers congregating late at night, litter and noise. There are also the concerns about the application being for 24-hour opening, seven days a week.”

A KFC spokesman said: “It’s early days for our application so we can’t say too much at the moment. Although we have applied for a 24 hour license, no KFC restaurants are open for 24 hours and should plans be approved, the Laindon restaurant would be open during our regular operating hours.”