Samlesbury KFC’s plan to expand is ‘finger-licking bad’ for residents (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Samlesbury KFC’s plan to expand is ‘finger-licking bad’ for residents

11:07am Thursday 26th January 2012 in News By Jon Livesey , Reporter

CONCERNS have been raised over the redevelopment of a restaurant on a main road between Blackburn and Preston.

Work to convert the long-established KFC, in Preston New Road, Mellor Brook, to a larger drive-through, began at the end of last year.

But due to ‘unforeseen issues’ the fast food giant said it had been forced to make changes to the plans, meaning the new outlet will be larger than expected.

Neighbours Andrew and Maria Morton contacted South Ribble Council after noting the work was different to the ‘small scale’ work described in the plans.

The couple, whose property overlooks the site, said they were especially unhappy as they had not been consulted.

A spokesman for the franchisee who runs the KFC said retrospective plans had been submitted to the council.

And town hall bosses said the couple had not been consulted as their property does not share a border with the KFC site – there is a farmer’s field in between.

Mrs Morton said the work not covered by the original plans included a dormer and what appeared to be a roof terrace.

She said it looked 200 per cent bigger than what was there originally, adding: “When we built our house over two years ago, KFC was consulted as a neighbour, so we should have been consulted this time.

I would have thought a drive-through will attract more people and lead to an increase in traffic, but the consultation on that has been small scale.

“There are too many unanswered questions over the original plans.”

The new restaurant is due to open in spring, creating 10 new jobs.

South Ribble Coun Cliff Hughes said KFC had been told to submit a revised application as the extension did not conform with original plans.

He said: “We will be writing to Mrs Morton inviting her to comment on the revised plans.”

He said a public notice advising of the original application had been put up near the site.