Almost 400 residents object to new KFC on site of Organ and Dragon in Ewell
Nearly 400 residents have formally objected to plans to turn a historic pub into a fast-food takeawa…
Nearly 400 residents have formally objected to plans to turn a historic pub into a fast-food takeaway but must now wait until December to find out its fate.
The Organ and Dragon, an 18th Century restaurant and pub in London Road, Ewell, shut down in July and was bought by KFC which has submitted a planning application to Epsom and Ewell Council to turn it into a restaurant and fast-food outlet.
Neighbours fear having a KFC on the site will lead to anti-social behaviour, litter and traffic accidents, with Ewell resident Elaine Jury starting a petition to save the historic watering hole.
Public consultation on the plans ended on October 18, and the council received more than 380 objections, Mrs Jury’s petition also attracted 1,000 signatures. There were just seven letters in support of KFC's plans.
Mrs Jury said the petition group would continue to hold weekly meetings, but it now "had to wait and see".
She said: "People can still write to the council opposing it, but I don’t think there’s an awful lot we can do at the moment.
"Hopefully, when the planning application gets to committee stage, we will have three minutes to speak against it.
"The councillors have already made up their minds. All they have built in Epsom town centre shows they don’t listen to residents.
"The consensus is people don’t want a takeaway and everything which goes with it."
The Kingston and Leatherhead branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has objected on the grounds of loss of amenity, impact on character and history, and it being contrary to planning policies.
A KFC spokesman said: "We believe KFC can be a positive addition to any community, and we always work closely with the local authorities and local residents whenever we submit an application to open a new restaurant."
Some residents have also questioned whether a KFC is the best way to encourage healthy eating in the community.
The spokesman added: "We are continually improving the nutritional profile of our menu, and offer a wide range of portion sizes and lighter options including grilled chicken and salad.
"KFC can be enjoyed as part of a balanced diet and the average customer visits us once every four weeks for a treat."
A report on the planning application will be submitted to the planning committee on December 6.
