A HAMPSHIRE headteacher has condemned the decision to allow a fast food centre to be built near the site of two “near-fatal” accidents involving pupils.

Julie Turvey, of Hounsdown School in Totton, has spoken out after a multi-million-pound proposal to construct restaurants for KFC and Costa Coffee were given the go-ahead by a Government-appointed planning inspector.

Mrs Turvey claimed that her views on road safety and obesity in young people had been ignored.

Hounsdown School was among the objectors when Gentian Developments unveiled plans to redevelop a site next to the route used by many teenagers going to and from the campus.

The proposed development is expected to draw a large amount of extra traffic to the area.

New Forest District Council rejected the application earlier this year, mainly on the grounds that vehicles going in and out of the site could cause a spate of crashes on the neighbouring Rushington roundabout.

Now Gentian lodged an appeal and planning inspector Michael Boniface has overturned the council's decision.

Daily Echo:

Mrs Turvey said: “I am very concerned and disappointed to hear the news that following an appeal, the proposed fast food and beverage outlet has been approved on the Ridgeway car garage adjacent to the Rushington roundabout.

“As a school we officially lodged our serious concerns and objections to this development on a number of occasions, due to two near-fatal accidents over the past three years involving students from Hounsdown School on this very busy road.

“We are also very concerned that fast food outlets are being approved on sites close to schools, when there are national concerns over the current health and obesity of young people.”