As decision day nears over the plans to build a KFC drive-thru on the Stratford Road , right next door to a local school, Shirley South Conservative Councillor, Peter Doyle is stepping-up his campaign along with local residents to fight the plans.
Fast Food giant KFC wants to locate a late night drive-thru on the site of the old Etrinsic building, Shirley. A scheme that Peter, the Conservative parliamentary candidate Julian Knight and local residents have opposed since plans first emerged a few months ago. Peter plans to speak up for residents at the planning committee meeting along with a teacher and a local police officer who will also raise their concerns.
A facebook protest group has been established, meetings have been held with local residents, the police, the Head Teacher and Chair of Governors at Shirley Heath Junior School, a 500 strong signed petition presented and leaflets from Shirley South Conservatives have been delivered to local residents to raise awareness of this application.
The decision about the application will be considered by the planning committee on Wednesday 24th April although council chiefs are recommending refusal of the application on highway grounds - the risk of increased accidents/injuries and the adverse impact on amenities of nearby residents.
Julian Knight, the new Parliamentary Candidate for Solihull, has also thrown his weight against these proposals, saying; “If the plans are refused it will be a resounding victory for Peter, myself and in particular local residents. We do not want this KFC to go ahead because of the noise, smell, environmental impact and extra traffic that the drive-thru will bring. In addition, its location right next to Shirley Heath Junior School could have a damaging impact on kids’ eating habits. At a time when all of us in Solihull are concerned about our kids’ nutrition the location of a fast food drive thru so close to a junior school is a backwards step.”
Cllr Peter Doyle added; “If the application is refused by the planning committee and, after a hard fought campaign we very much hope it will be, we must remain on guard as the developer may well appeal against the council’s decision. The fight goes on.”