By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
The Forest of Dean will soon be getting its first KFC drive-thru as plans for a new restaurant on the outskirts of Coleford have been given the go-ahead.
Councillors considered proposals for the just under half an acre site off Perrygrove Road, which also include two industrial unit, at the Forest of Dean District Council’s planning committee on May 12.
A separate scheme for a KFC and Greggs was turned down in 2023. But councillors followed the officers’ recommendation and voted to grant permission by five votes in favour to three against.
The drive-thru is expected to provide seating for 38 customers along with a designated area for home delivery order collection.
And applicants NNA Ltd say the restaurant will provide job opportunities and a total of 35 posts are expected to be created, with 12 full-time employees and 23 part-time positions.
Access to the site will be from Perrygrove Road and there will be around 45 parking spaces and two large order bays for temporary parking.
The scheme also proposes walkway improvements which would ensure that the development is sustainable and well-integrated, the developers say.
Some 13 residents had objected to the plans ahead of the meeting raising concerns over littering, anti-social behaviour and increased traffic congestion.
There are also fears the new KFC could lead to air pollution, odour and loss of privacy in homes and gardens.
Towards the end of today’s debate, chairman Dave Wheeler (G, Newland and Sling) said it was very difficult as there were pros and cons to it.
“One of the key issues is the town centre and whether it would draw economic development from the town centre,” he said.
He agreed there are empty shops in the town centre but they are not suitable for drive-thrus.
However, he said the nearest KFC in Ross is very busy but is not a drive thru and he did not believe one was essential.
“One of the issues about whether this particular site has a catchment area large enough is that some of the plans show this site would benefit from customers coming from Monmouth,” he said.
“I tell you for one, nobody will come from Monmouth for this, they will go straight up the dual carriage way to Ross where they duly served and get there much quicker.”
Cllr Wheeler said he felt the debate was extremely balanced and he asked his constituents what they thought of it.
“It’s split straight down the middle again,” he said. “50 per cent of the people don’t want to see it and 50 per cent do want to see it.
“One of the most interesting comments I got was ‘well actually, the Forest should be coming into the 21st century now.
“I thought that was quite telling.”
Councillor Julia Gooch (Progressive Independents, Newent and Taynton) proposed approving the plans and this was seconded by Conservative Jonathan Beeston (Newent and Taynton).
“Everybody has a responsibility for themselves, for their health, their diet and for discarding litter,” she said.
“I’ve heard all the comments about litter being thrown down through vehicle windows.
“I travel along the A48 and A40 every single morning and there’s a gentleman there, and hats off to him, he’s picking up the litter that has been discarded from vehicles every single day.”
She understands the concerns over litter but society has a responsibility to teach children about littering.
The committee voted to approve the plans by five to three votes.