Samlesbury KFC’s plan to expand is ‘finger-licking bad’ for residents (From Preston and Leyland Citizen)
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Samlesbury KFC’s plan to expand is ‘finger-licking bad’ for residents
11:07am Thursday 26th January 2012 in News
By Jon Livesey, Reporter
CONCERNS have been raised over the redevelopment of a restaurant on a main road between Blackburn and Preston.
Work to convert the long-established KFC, in Preston New Road, Mellor Brook, to a larger drive-through, began at the end of last year.
But due to ‘unforeseen issues’ the fast food giant said it had been forced to make changes to the plans, meaning the new outlet will be larger than expected.
Neighbours Andrew and Maria Morton contacted South Ribble Council after noting the work was different to the ‘small scale’ work described in the plans.
The couple, whose property overlooks the site, said they were especially unhappy as they had not been consulted.
A spokesman for the franchisee who runs the KFC said retrospective plans had been submitted to the council.
And town hall bosses said the couple had not been consulted as their property does not share a border with the KFC site – there is a farmer’s field in between.
Mrs Morton said the work not covered by the original plans included a dormer and what appeared to be a roof terrace.
She said it looked 200 per cent bigger than what was there originally, adding: “When we built our house over two years ago, KFC was consulted as a neighbour, so we should have been consulted this time.
I would have thought a drive-through will attract more people and lead to an increase in traffic, but the consultation on that has been small scale.
“There are too many unanswered questions over the original plans.”
The new restaurant is due to open in spring, creating 10 new jobs.
South Ribble Coun Cliff Hughes said KFC had been told to submit a revised application as the extension did not conform with original plans.
He said: “We will be writing to Mrs Morton inviting her to comment on the revised plans.”
He said a public notice advising of the original application had been put up near the site.
Comments(70)
burner
says...
11:32am Thu 26 Jan 12
Izanears
says...
11:35am Thu 26 Jan 12
A Darener
says...
12:03pm Thu 26 Jan 12
burner wrote:It's always been a fast, straight road. Most accidents on it happen elsewhere. It is just a matter of driving safely, as everybody should at all times.
Concerns should not be about the LOOK of the place. A massive concern is traffic emerging from there. That's a fast, straight road.
juanbbien
says...
12:16pm Thu 26 Jan 12
Izanears wrote:I don't know why the government keeps bothering,if people want to eat this type of food and get obese just let them,what difference does it make,in the next breath they are saying there's we are over populated as we are all living longer,I don't believe this how many people do you come across that make it to their eighties or nineties,people are still passing away at a variety of ages,the government and media just come out with any propaganda to suit their agenda,and people accept it without question,no wonder we are in the state we are in
The government has just announced that it is giving councils 5 million pounds to combat obesity. What a waste of money.
burner
says...
12:19pm Thu 26 Jan 12
Coeur de Lion
says...
1:59pm Thu 26 Jan 12
living the end times in BB1
says...
1:59pm Thu 26 Jan 12
burner wrote:The council could build a new junction of its own to account for the extra customers..Problem
You are right, Darener . . .. . but we can now anticipate MANY more slow vehicles turning in and out of here. I would say the increased business makes this a very risky stretch of fast road in future.
solved safety wise.
whirlingdervish
says...
3:01pm Thu 26 Jan 12
TugaysRightBoot
says...
3:09pm Thu 26 Jan 12
burner wrote:Same wasn't said when The Grey Mare expanded on Grane Road.
You are right, Darener . . .. . but we can now anticipate MANY more slow vehicles turning in and out of here. I would say the increased business makes this a very risky stretch of fast road in future.
As mentioned above - people just need to drive carefully.
If you have passed your driving test, you should be aware of potential hazards.
There is a row of houses a little further on, are you saying these people can't pull out of their drives because it's dangerous?
burner
says...
4:22pm Thu 26 Jan 12
.
It's not so much the speed of on-coming traffic, more the frequency - with not many long gaps cos drivers tend to close up on the car ahead. It's just the same on any straight stretch of road, even with a 40 limit, let alone 50. - Shorter gaps to pull across.
andrewmorton12
says...
5:09pm Thu 26 Jan 12
Legal Beagle
says...
6:40pm Thu 26 Jan 12
You should write to the Chief Planning Offficer at SRBC and say that should they grant retrospective planning permission you will be seeking legal advice with regard to judicial review proceedings to quash any such planning permission.
There is far too much of this sort of bully boy behaviour these days, and planning departments are often too supine to stand up to them.
jeff R
says...
6:41pm Thu 26 Jan 12
andrewmorton12
says...
6:52pm Thu 26 Jan 12
Oh if you check the photos on their application you can see our house quite clearly right down to the front door. We could show you that too if you don't have access to the Planning Website.
Barb-Dwyer
says...
8:59pm Thu 26 Jan 12
surely in the current economic climate people should be pleased that businesses are employing more thus reducing the dole queue?
as already mentioned there are fields inbetween the housein question and the KFC so what is the problem? expanding the drive thru isnt going to need additional seating - hence the term drive thru.
in my opnion the KFC was there before you built your house - you knew what you were overlooking - if you dont like it move
mr beer belly
says...
9:36pm Thu 26 Jan 12
I called in before it closed and the food and cleanliness was very poor! Staff also Poor hope the new one gets staff that are greatfull for a job and give good service..
ps: i like the job you have done on your house would not mind a nosey, who was the builder as he did not mess about and has done a good job!
Cha'mone MF
says...
9:58pm Thu 26 Jan 12
juanbbien wrote:Maybe you could get Amir Khan to do the re-opening ???
Izanears wrote:I don't know why the government keeps bothering,if people want to eat this type of food and get obese just let them,what difference does it make,in the next breath they are saying there's we are over populated as we are all living longer,I don't believe this how many people do you come across that make it to their eighties or nineties,people are still passing away at a variety of ages,the government and media just come out with any propaganda to suit their agenda,and people accept it without question,no wonder we are in the state we are in
The government has just announced that it is giving councils 5 million pounds to combat obesity. What a waste of money.
mr beer belly
says...
10:08pm Thu 26 Jan 12
andrewmorton12
says...
12:32am Fri 27 Jan 12
Think a bit harder folks and look a bit deeper - this isnt what they want you to think. Someone somewhere planned this and intends to get away with it - does everyone think with their bellies and not their consciences these days?
andrewmorton12
says...
12:41am Fri 27 Jan 12
big bad bob
says...
10:12am Fri 27 Jan 12
big bad bob
says...
11:25am Fri 27 Jan 12
6:41pm Thu 26 Jan 12
You got a very large hedge and 130 meters between you and KFC, you would have to stand on you roof to see it. Move!”
ha ha your not from burnley are you by any chance...many the chickens will come home to roost with you one day and some neighbour of yours does something without planning
andrewmorton12
says...
1:50pm Fri 27 Jan 12
Of course that doesn't include you, me or anyone else reading this newspaper article. We have to abide by the rules or face the consequences. That safeguards us all from our neighbours who might otherwise build an extension and block our light, or build a raised patio that disturbs our privacy. Just because KFC have built this they really think they shouldn't have to knock it down if they don't get Planning Approval. In fact they are banking on it. Would you want your neighbour to get away with it?
Thought not.
Barb-Dwyer
says...
6:30pm Fri 27 Jan 12
I am still of the opinion it is a lot of fuss being made over a something and nothing. It could be a lot worse - just look what has has retrospect planning apps agree in the area and think yourself very lucky.
DaveBurnley
says...
7:02pm Fri 27 Jan 12
How long do we have to wait for the first fatal accident?
peely
says...
10:09pm Fri 27 Jan 12
andrewmorton12
says...
12:33am Sat 28 Jan 12
Surprised? Do you want to try speaking to the owners of the building? So do we. If we get an appointment, as we have requested, we'll see you on site.
andrewmorton12
says...
12:40am Sat 28 Jan 12
And from the length of time its been closed and the cost of what they have done do you honestly think someone can afford a Franchise and to be out of business for so long. Thats where the big money comes into play and why they think they can get away with it.
anotherview
says...
12:56pm Sat 28 Jan 12
andrewmorton12
says...
1:29pm Sat 28 Jan 12
We get the feeling that the inevitability of this is what stops all us little people making a stand on it. The Planning Regulations are there for everyone so we'd really like to hear from everyone who has had an application refused or appealed and been knocked back again. Why should anyone even bother with Planning Application (and don't forget Building Regs) if Retrospective Approval can be given AFTER you have built whatever you wanted. Is this a loophole that everyone should try? Thought not - only in cases where the Applicant can afford to keep the development by simply paying a fine. QFM and their KFC need to know the rest of us won't accept this any longer.
So make your feelings heard and pass the word. Comments to South Ribble Planning asap.
anniehargs
says...
2:25pm Sat 28 Jan 12
anniehargs
says...
2:31pm Sat 28 Jan 12
anniehargs
says...
2:31pm Sat 28 Jan 12
andrewmorton12
says...
3:24pm Sat 28 Jan 12
That's where public support of Planners comes in. If enough people protest that it's not acceptable then KFC won't automatically get their Retrospective Application passed, and have to revert to what they got the Original Approval for.
p.s Nice to know it looks like my husband did a good job. Thanks.
Dr Who Dunnit 2010?
says...
5:35pm Sat 28 Jan 12
andrewmorton12
says...
5:52pm Sat 28 Jan 12
I don't think that puts him in the same category as your average Franchisee does it? And we all thought it was just a little old KFC on the road to Preston, but now its part of a big set-up across the country. Doesn't that make it part of a Multi-National?
Guzford
says...
5:59pm Sat 28 Jan 12
anotherview
says...
9:19pm Sat 28 Jan 12
Between_the_lions
says...
9:47pm Sat 28 Jan 12
sad but true...
Asian name (QFM Company Ltd - Mr Bharat Patel - )
+
Planning Dept
=
Build what you want.
philduxbury
says...
8:39am Sun 29 Jan 12
chegwin
says...
10:11am Sun 29 Jan 12
With steve Kean instead of col saunders on the "big sign"
Smacx25
says...
10:26am Sun 29 Jan 12
philduxbury
says...
10:51am Sun 29 Jan 12
Barb-Dwyer
says...
10:52am Sun 29 Jan 12
yes i said franchise as that is what KFC is Mr Morton- check it for yourself.
whether the employees are from near or far they are still reducing the dole queue.
at the end of the day the long established was here for many years before you built your house your house
speedswift
says...
10:53am Sun 29 Jan 12
Dave_P
says...
1:52pm Sun 29 Jan 12
mr beer belly wrote:haha, with a name like that?
I eat takeaways in moderation and i am very healthy and in shape through exercise and hard work, obease people need to stop making an excuse and blaming to many takaways, stop eating to much and doing to little simples!!
icannotrace
says...
6:34pm Sun 29 Jan 12
whirlingdervish wrote:ha ha
i cannot understand why they built windsor castle so close to heahtrow airport
NWRaider
says...
4:42pm Mon 30 Jan 12
We get loads of litter, traffic noise, late night revelers, and that sickly smell that eminates from these outlets. Good luck.
lancs1985
says...
5:31pm Mon 30 Jan 12
The venkys are getting seriouse hell over in india now from every buisness because of there lies, they haveing a real hard time and we can only make it worse if big numbers and big banners, the indian media are going to be present at these marchs, so we need to get the point across, its war with them and iv said we will never give up until they are out and thats the truef, lets give them hell and drag there super chickens business down like they have with are club!!!
7pm brown cow livesy branch road
chegwin
says...
6:01pm Mon 30 Jan 12
philduxbury
says...
6:09pm Mon 30 Jan 12
I live on that stretch. My house is my home and my car is just a piece of metal. However a life is a lot more precious. I have seen numerous accidents with cars turning in and out of the KFC over the last 10 years and by making a drive thro it can only make matters worse on a dangerous stretch of road.
andrewmorton12
says...
6:37pm Mon 30 Jan 12
Grow up and join the wider discussion. Your argument might hold water if the KFC wasn't already there, and the original plans weren't intended to "tidy up the place" hence improving our view. Instead the owner of 30 other KFC's is intending to make a profit regardless of what happens on this road. We, philduxbury and the lady at Limefield live here so if you do too why don't you join forces with us or would you rather see a fatal accident to someone who doesnt live on this stretch?
Oh, that would probably be a loyal customer of KFC, an innocent cyclist or a regular commuter on this road. Whoever it is, doesn't deserve to run that risk so please think twice before you back the Drive Thru without some improvements to the access.
andrewmorton12
says...
7:47pm Mon 30 Jan 12
andrewmorton12
says...
7:47pm Mon 30 Jan 12
STORM 2
says...
12:17am Tue 31 Jan 12
And shame on you Mr Morton for aligning yourself with them - you have no sympathy from me - a self proclaimed anti-establishmentar
ian who has spent time campaigning against the multinationals and conglomerates.
I see you are quite content to allow people to draw their bigoted conclusions after you kindly supplied the name of the franchisee, who just so happens to be Indian. Whilst I understand the current animosity toward anything Indian/Chicken related, the racists piling in with halal paranoia seem to have your backing. You come across as a proper Nimby, I wouldn't have granted you PP for your little castle in the first place.
louderfasterlonger
says...
1:55am Tue 31 Jan 12
andrewmorton12 wrote:If these people are as scheming as you describe, you may well expect to see a further application for change of use once it's completed... or just change of franchise.
Just an afterthought - even if you don't agree with us - good luck travelling past, whether the KFC gets a Drive Thru or not, its an accident waiting to happen. Let's hope its not YOU.
Just a thought !
andrewmorton12
says...
8:54am Tue 31 Jan 12
Up to that point a lot of the comments that you may not like either were referring to obesity. Since then (we are up to 60 comments) 3 have related to ethnic background and 2 to the ownership of Blackburn Rovers. I would say that the majority (over 90%) of participants are not interested in having an argument, just making comments from their own perspective. We are not in a position to block any comments but if don't like something you can "report it". We would however appreciate your keeping to the article and avoiding your own assumptions about us. Thanks for comment on our castle though - most people think it's a palace!
Joking aside I am sorry you are offended by some of what you have read but a lot of people ARE concerned, both about the road AND exactly what louderfasterlonger just voiced. That is the issue.
andrewmorton12
says...
10:53am Tue 31 Jan 12
R0S1EH2602
says...
1:54pm Tue 31 Jan 12
andrewmorton12
says...
3:05pm Tue 31 Jan 12
MrMungus
says...
12:27am Wed 1 Feb 12
Did you know that this was the second Kentucky in the country, the first being Preston or that it was originally a sit down restaurant in the white house and not a take away? They served it on real plates with knives and forks.
I think you are dead right though they planned this right from the start. In Suffolk the local council made a guy in onehouse demolish his finished house for being 6 inches too wide. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with this, The fact they started by demolishing the original building shows it was a put on. it should be demolished and the process begun again. Best of luck.
andrewmorton12
says...
11:54am Wed 1 Feb 12
The fact that the developers of KFC are trying to make it even bigger, and installing the Drive Thru to attract more business, in such an underhand way makes it even worse. We need more public comments to the Planners on this as well as luck!
roversok
says...
10:48pm Wed 1 Feb 12
Ask the man who stands outside there offices with the sign corrupt council. no smoke without fire.
JingleBells
says...
2:24am Thu 2 Feb 12
As a regular traveller along this road I know only too well the concerns you have outlined. A number of people have commented on this article suggesting that you are making noise about an issue which they believe to be menial but I beg you do not take those comments to heart. It's very easy for people to voice their opinions when it does not concern them as such.
I wish you the best of luck in your pursuit to have this matter resolved appropriately and echo the comments of Legal Beagle, in that you should attempt to highlight your concerns to as high a figure as possible. God bless.
Greaves123
says...
6:43pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Greaves123
says...
6:43pm Fri 3 Feb 12
fil999deb
says...
8:30pm Fri 3 Feb 12
TugaysRightBoot wrote:It's people like you that have made our country what it is today! People just don't care anymore and that's why the state of Britain is in such a mess. People just don't stand up for there rights any more and let everyone walk all over us as if we are a soft touch. Well I applaud you Andy and Lou, we need more people like you that are not afraid of hard work and won't just sit back and be taken advantage of. You go and I support you all the way.
Seriously, what difference does it make?
No-one is short of land or lovely views in that area.
Get off your high horse and be thankful that the place is being invested in, it was looking a bit tatty before!
fil999deb
says...
8:30pm Fri 3 Feb 12
TugaysRightBoot wrote:It's people like you that have made our country what it is today! People just don't care anymore and that's why the state of Britain is in such a mess. People just don't stand up for there rights any more and let everyone walk all over us as if we are a soft touch. Well I applaud you Andy and Lou, we need more people like you that are not afraid of hard work and won't just sit back and be taken advantage of. You go and I support you all the way.
Seriously, what difference does it make?
No-one is short of land or lovely views in that area.
Get off your high horse and be thankful that the place is being invested in, it was looking a bit tatty before!
Olley Owl Owd Betts Barn
says...
12:43pm Sat 4 Feb 12
We drive by this place regulary, and honestly, we never see any customers.
TugaysRightBoot says...
11:23am Thu 26 Jan 12
No-one is short of land or lovely views in that area.
Get off your high horse and be thankful that the place is being invested in, it was looking a bit tatty before!