West Wickham residents staged a second protest against KFC's plans for a new drive-thru on Sunday (March 29).

KFC bosses launched plans for a restaurant and community woodland on the closed La Rioja restaurant in Wickham Road back in October.

But more than 1,200 residents have signed a petition against the proposal with many complaining the chicken chain already has a restaurant in the High Street.

Locals have also left hundreds of messages on a Facebook campaign group saying they are concerned the drive-thru would cause traffic chaos, noise pollution and litter.

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Figures taken from a planning application submitted by KFC to Bromley Council show the accident rate on the surrounding roads as one crash to every five weeks.

Dad-of-two Simon Gardner, 41, of Pine Avenue, said: “Personally, I moved to West Wickham because it’s a great place.

“It’s still got its village feel. It’s not commercialised.

“And I moved here for a better life for my children. This is just going to ruin it.”

Kat Clarke, of Wilmar Gardens, said: “I am extremely against this development. It will cause traffic chaos.

“We have a school crossing not five yards away, which is deemed to be extremely dangerous.”

The currently restricted High Broom Wood area, which lies behind the proposed site, would also be opened up to the local community, if the council gives KFC the green light.

KFC franchise company Auriga Holdings Limited says it has undertaken an extensive public consultation into the plans.

Afnan Bashir, of Auriga Holdings Limited, said: “The consultation highlighted a number of insights from local stakeholders, which have in turn significantly informed the design process and subsequent planning application.

“KFC is committed to making a positive contribution to the communities in which it operates by designing, constructing and maintaining modern, efficient, clean and environmentally responsible restaurants.”

A Bromley Council spokesperson said: “We can confirm we have received an application for a change of use, alterations, extension and new drive thru lane and car park at the former La Rioja in Wickham Road, West Wickham.

“We will assess this application carefully and consider the planning merits before making our decision in the usual way.”