CONTROVERSIAL plans for a KFC drive-thru have been approved despite more than 40 objections.

Chorley Council approved plans for the fast-food restaurant on land at Barnes Wallis Way in Buckshaw Village.

Cllr Aidy Riggott, who represents the area, spoke at a planning meeting on Tuesday saying he did not feel that the restaurant should be across the road from a primary school.

He said: “I am really disappointed by the decision and some people locally are wanting to put their house up for sale as they don’t want to live next to it.

“When they bought their house they expected a commercial unit but not a takeaway.

“It raises a lot of concerns that councils up and down the country are refusing to let fast food restaurants to be within 400m of a school but Chorley Council does not have things in place.”

Ward councillor Matt Lynch said: “I was disappointed it was agreed despite the amount of objections that were made to the council.

“The residents had various different issues with the scheme.

“I could see there was a reluctance by the committee to vote in favour of the scheme.

“That is one of the problems of the planning committee as they are there to decide on the schemes and not to set local policies and they are there to carry out the decision on what has been recommended by officers.”

The main complaints about the scheme included smells, noise, increased chance of rats and the possibility of young adults hanging around the car park.

They also argued that it promoted unhealthy eating with the primary school nearby.

Applicant Paul McLoughlin said: “This will bring 35 jobs, of which around 63 per cent of them would go to people living locally and that up to 25 per cent of employment will be for unemployed young people.”

Council officers recommended the scheme for approval saying: “the proposed development would have the benefit of providing a mix of small business units and a restaurant and take-away that together would contribute to economic growth in a sustainable location. The proposal would have no unacceptable detrimental impact on the amenity of neighbouring occupiers.”