Wildlife experts object to KFC proposal

10:21am Wednesday 13th February 2013 in News

WILDLIFE experts have objected to plans to build a fast food takeaway on the edge of Colchester.

Essex Wildlife Trust is opposing KFC’s plans to build a drive-thru in Ipswich Road because the development could harm a protected species of bat.

In a letter to Tendring District Council, which will decide on the planning application, the trust said: “Evidence suggests that trees directly adjacent to the site boundary are regularly used by roasting bats and the application site itself provides hunting and foraging habitat for this local bat population.

“Essex Wildlife Trust wishes to register an objection to the proposal.”

The trust has also recommended bat surveys to be carried out before a decision on the application is made.

Nearby residents and Colchester Council have strongly objected to the plans, which would create up to 40 new jobs.

It is feared the development would damage visitors’ first perceptions of the town when they arrive and would also take custom away from town centre takeaways.

Comments(10)

nick2480 says...
10:44am Wed 13 Feb 13

No poultry farms near by?

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irememberwhen says...
10:49am Wed 13 Feb 13

KFB?

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katsmum says...
11:06am Wed 13 Feb 13

roasting bats and the application site itself provides hunting and foraging habitat for this local bat population.

No need for KFC with roasted bats available.

Proof reader required.

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HARRY438 says...
11:37am Wed 13 Feb 13

Finger lickin' good?
I myself have never tried them.

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wormshero says...
12:39pm Wed 13 Feb 13

I don't have any intention of eating the horrible food from KFC, but this has all gone a bit far. There's already plenty of stuff in this area, and I doubt a take away opening opposite will cause any additional problem. The idea that it will take business away from town centre take aways is farcical; the main customers for town center take aways will be people on nights out. These people aren't likely to finish their night and think "I won't eat here, I'll walk the incredible distance to the out of town KFC". Given the town center parking charges it has an entirely different audience. Not sure about the first impressions thing either - it's a mostly industrial part of the town for a start, and surely those peoples impressions will be the same when they get into town and see the large number of grim take away establishments in the middle?

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tizwaz says...
1:45pm Wed 13 Feb 13

excuse after excuse, wildlife my *rse,its flattened area & them people that has moaned will be the first to prob go through/in kfc,?

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Feisty CBC says...
2:03pm Wed 13 Feb 13

I suspect fowl play. Everyone seems to have gone batty over the proposals.
Sorry, I'll get me coat.

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Scoot says...
2:16pm Wed 13 Feb 13

Worried about first perceptions ? What a joke. More like a tit for tat battle against TDC. CBC were fighting TDC over plans for a tech park close to Colchester until the "Knowledge gateway" opened. Its just games.
Anyhow what about 2nd, 3rd or even 4th perceptions once the visitor has sat in traffic for an age and then had to fork out a fortune to park. As to the bats, they don't seem too bothered by the pub, the car dealerships, the busy road to the A12 junction, and and and....

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roger bacon says...
4:46pm Wed 13 Feb 13

It must be a joke that having a KFC there will affect the bats very much when you have probably 100,000 cars whizzing round the A12 roundabout a week.
The Warren Heath KFC in Ipswich does a fantastic trade and is probably busier that any in the town centre as you can park outside it.

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tellitasitreallyis says...
1:10am Sun 17 Feb 13

Now I think it is a great idea.
!. Employment
2. Easy access to a KFC here in Colchester. What with the high street going to be closed off. so can't run into town to get a KFC when I want too.

Would love to know what benefits we can get from a bat. They don't bring anything into this county, other than they eat insects. But so do birds and other animals.

Think that it is a much better idea than that of say that stupid not even wanted except for toffs arts centre.

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