A COUNCILLOR has called on planning bosses to take account of the effect a new drive-thru will have on litter in Colchester.

Gerard Oxford, borough councillor for Highwoods, said if planners give the go ahead for KFC to open the restaurant, in Ipswich Road, litter will undoubtedly increase.

A planning application has been submitted to Tendring District Council, but Mr Oxford said the plans will have more of an effect on Colchester residents.

“It may be in Tendring but it will effect Colchester’s population much more than it does theirs,” said Mr Oxford.

“I also believe, if they are minded to grant permission, KFC should be asked to enter into an agreement and help to pay the costs of collecting the extra litter, which will undoubtedly increase.”

Residents have already objected to the plans because of the effect they would have on traffic, but now Essex Wildlife Trust has been asked to check if bats living in conifer trees next to the site are a protected species.

David Haskell, whose garden backs on to the proposed site, owns the trees.

He said: “If they are protected, then we will have to take it from there but we would hope to slow KFC’s plans down.”