RESIDENTS are staging a public meeting tonight following the controversial decision to approve plans for a multimillion-pound fast-food centre.

A Government-appointed planning inspector has quashed a vote taken by democratically-elected councillors and given permission for drive-thru restaurants to be built beside the busy Rushington roundabout at Totton.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the decision has angered people living in the area.

Critics claim that vehicles entering and leaving the site will endanger other road users, plus pupils walking to and from nearby Hounsdown School.

The public meeting will discuss the decision to approve the scheme and examine ways of trying to reduce the impact of the proposed development.

Gentian Developments (Totton) Ltd plans to bulldoze a car sales centre and replace it with two outlets run by KFC and Costa Coffee.

Daily Echo:

An artist's impression of what the fast-food centre would look like

New Forest District Council refused the application last year, despite the promise of 65 jobs. Members claimed that vehicles going in and out of the site could cause accidents on the roundabout, which is where the A35 meets the A326.

However, Gentian lodged an appeal and was given the go-ahead just before Christmas.

Planning inspector Michael Boniface rejected road safety fears, saying proposed improvements to the site’s entrance and exit would actually make the area safer.

But the inspector’s verdict was condemned by the head teacher of Hounsdown School, Julie Turvey.

Last night Totton councillor Chris Lagdon, pictured right, also criticised Mr Boniface’s decision to go against the wishes of local residents and called for changes in the planning system.

But he cited the coalition Government’s relentless support for development “at any cost” and warned that the chances of reform were “very slim".

Cllr David Harrison,  who represents Totton South, added: “I’ve agreed to attend the public meeting to discuss what might be done to try to mitigate some of the worst aspects of the decision to approve the application.

“My main concern is road safety.

“I still think it’s not too late to amend the plan so that traffic enters the site from the A35 westbound and leaves it on the A326. Vehicles would have to turn left and use a roundabout that could be built at the junction of Jacobs Gutter Lane.

“The idea sits well with other plans to improve the Jacobs Gutter Lane junction and could be funded by the use of developers’ contributions.”

  • The meeting will be held at Hounsdown Hall in Hounsdown Avenue, Totton, tonight (Wednesday) at 7pm.