Neighbours are getting together to object to plans for a new KFC drive-through restaurant.

The application (18/00977/B), would, if successful, see KFC and Starbucks open restaurants on the former Eurocars site on Peel Road, Douglas.

This week, Dave Burridge, a former civil engineering technician and teacher who is prominent in the campaign against the proposals, told the Manx Independent there were three main reasons the residents were objecting to the plans.

He has delivered 75 letters to the surrounding area to draw his neighbours’ attention to the potential development, which the Manx Independent exclusively revealed on August 30.

Mr Burridge, who lives on Ballakermeen Avenue nearby, feels that they are facing an uphill battle.

He said: ’I am concerned about the levels of obesity in our children.

’I’m an ex teacher and it worries me the idea of having another fast food outlet so close to the high school [Ballakermeen].

’Noble’s is under stress and encouraging this will only make it worse.

’There is also the issue of people playing sport at the National Sports Centre and then going for fast food.

’It just totally negates the point of doing sport.’

Mr Burridge denied that he simply didn’t like fast food.

’I like KFC,’ he said. ’I like kebabs. I like fish and chips but we have to stop this fanaticism we have for fast food.’

Mr Burridge said the second issue the group had was the road.

’There is no way in a month of Sundays that a transport engineer would place a site like that about 50 yards from major traffic lights and opposite Ballakermeen Drive, where the children regularly walk up and down,’ he said.

’There is also the concern of the cycle path being there and people trying to cut in and out of the entrance.’

He added that the issue of congestion had been ignored, despite McDonald’s causing traffic problems in both directions on Peel Road during busy periods.

The police yesterday tweeted about congestion in the area, saying: ’We have been made aware of traffic issues caused by cars waiting to turn into McDonald’s on Peel road, Douglas.

’We will link with our partners on looking at possible solutions but would ask that drivers using the restauarant bear in mind the delays they are causing others.’

Mr Burridge said that most of their opposition is to KFC, arguing that Starbucks, while contributing to the traffic, didn’t serve the range of unhealthy food that KFC did.

He said he would rather see a supermarket such as Lidl or Aldi using the site.

Isle of Man Newspapers recently asked both supermarket chains whether they had any plans to open in the island. Both said no.

Mr Burridge said that providing people with more choice to buy good, local food could only be a good thing.

He also said if people want to comment on the plans, they can do so, by searching the application number above on https://services.gov.im/.

This week’s Isle of Man Examiner includes a map of the site, showing what is proposed for it. The Examiner is in the shops now.