PLANS to open a 24-hour fast food outlet in the centre of a Hampshire town have sparked a flood of objections.

Families living near the Esso garage in Ringwood Road, Totton, have hit out at proposals to build a Burger King drive-thru on part of the site.

Critics claim the proposed development will create extra traffic problems as well as contributing to childhood obesity.

The garage is near a mini roundabout, the Totton branch of Asda and a level crossing which is closed to traffic for a total of 20 minutes every hour. There are also several schools in the area.

New Forest District Council has already received more than 30 letters of objection from people living in Ringwood Road and nearby streets.

Kelly Webb says the fast food outlet would cause a build up of traffic, blocking nearby roads, as well as causing a large amount of noise and disruption.

Her letter adds: "It will cause so much disruption to surrounding families and the whole of Totton."

Fellow objector Ian Adams says: "The traffic can be horrendous at certain times of the day, with the train gates and Asda close by. Having a drive-thru will only make the problem worse, as well as the increased rubbish, noise pollution and parking problems."

Mark Brown claims the area is already "inundated" with fast food venues.

He adds that the garage is near infant and junior schools as well as being on a route taken by pupils going to and from secondary schools in the area.

His letter says: "With childhood obesity on the rise I cannot imagine how having yet another fast food chain in Totton can possibly have any benefit."

Totton and Eling Town Council is urging the district council to reject the application.

In a letter to the authority it says: "The location is clearly not suitable for a busy takeaway and drive-thru. It is felt that these issues and the strong public swell of objection, are justifications for refusal."

As reported in the Daily Echo, the scheme has been submitted by Euro Garages Ltd.

Its application says: “The company’s business model is centred around a mixed-use arrangement of complimentary facilities which provide for the needs of passing motorists.

“The proposed development has been subject to careful consideration to ensure the application represents a suitable scheme in keeping with the site and its surroundings.

“Within the drive-thru lane there’s sufficient space for vehicles to queue without backing up on to the access road serving the Asda car park.”