Long and Lyttle “dismayed” by KFC Drive-Through planning decision


Alliance East Belfast MP Naomi Long and MLA Chris Lyttle have expressed their anger at news that the Planning Appeals Commission has overturned a Belfast City Council Town Planning Committee and Department of the Environment Planning Service decision to refuse planning permission for a KFC drive-through on the Upper Newtownards Road in what is a predominantly residential neighbourhood.

The site is located between Ballyhackamore and Knock and comprises 327-329 Upper Newtownards Road and 1 Knockhill Park.

Naomi Long MP said: “I have represented residents concerns at every stage of this process and am bitterly disappointed that the Planning Appeals Commissioner has saw fit to overturn a DOE Planning Service decision, supported by Belfast City Council, to refuse what is a completely inappropriate application.

“There is united and widespread opposition to the opening of a drive-through restaurant on this site. Such development may be appropriate in a retail park or a motorway services, but it is not appropriate at the corner of a residential street, immediately beside a school. I have real concerns for the implications this decision will have on other similar applications in residential neighbourhoods across Northern Ireland.

Chris Lyttle MLA said: “I now have real concerns with regard to the fairness of the planning appeals process in Northern Ireland and share the intense frustration of local residents at the outcome of this appeal.

“People are rightly concerned that this development has the potential to lead to an increase in noise, litter, disturbance, and a loss of residential amentity, not least given the drive-through element of the proposal. We are also concerned that the entrance and exit which open right at the traffic lights which serve the neighbouring school will compromise road safety.

“This is a completely inappropriate form of development for this location and I am utterly dismayed that anyone with a reponsibility for planning would think otherwise.”

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