15 hours ago
Warning against West Wickham KFC expansion due to 'smell, rubbish and traffic'
Furious residents have warned against KFC's expansion plan, claiming their local branch has brought smells, rubbish, traffic - and lowered house prices.
Hundreds of locals in West Wickham objected when plans for a new drive-thru restaurant were submitted more ten years ago.
But despite the protests the plans were green-lit by councillors and the KFC was built on a site previously housing a tapas bar, and before that a pub.
Now, with KFC announcing it intends to build 500 more restaurants across the UK and Ireland in the next ten years, residents on Cavendish Way - near the controversial drive-thru - are warning others to object.
John Urie, 74, says he opposed the plans when they were first announced, and that he has complained to the local council several times since.
(Image: Tony Kershaw/ SWNS) The pensioner claims his garden is constantly flooded with a 'stale fat' smell and he is unable to open his windows in the summer due to the loud machine noises.
He said: 'They have a generator. In the summer we try to open our windows and there is an overwhelming noise. It is like a constant rumbling.
'There is also an awful smell, sometimes it is so bad that we have to go inside. We have complained to the council but nothing has been done.
'When it first opened there was absolute chaos with the traffic. The buses couldn't get past, it was a nightmare. Now it is all Deliveroo drivers, so it isn't so bad.
'We always get litter outside. It is ridiculous. There are always rats running in our garden.
'We thought about moving a few times, but I just think why should we. We were here first, they should be the ones to move.'
On the KFC expansion the resident of over ten years said: 'The planners need to consider what it is like for the local people. Anyone facing a KFC near them needs to object [...] strenuously.'
Engy Mankarious, 49, who has lived in her home next to the drive- thru for 15 years, claims the side effects have even devalued her home.
She said: 'I was here when they started building it and it is the worst thing to ever happen to me. The smell is horrible. I can't open my windows even in the peak of summer. It is a strong fat and grease smell.
'There are schools in the area and the kids get attracted to it. It is not right. It is fuelling obesity. They don't need junk food around the corner.
'There is always rubbish on the street and in my driveway. I have to pick it up every morning.
'My next door neighbour moved because of it. I have considered doing the same a few times but KFC have devalued my house. People see it and don't want to live here.
'There are always foxes and rats raiding the bins. I can't let my dog out unsupervised anymore.'
Lorraine Dunleavy, 69, says she also hates living near the fast food chain and much preferred the previous occupants.
The resident of four years said: 'I don't like it. I lost my sister's dog because of KFC. He escaped from my garden to chase the smell.
'People drop their rubbish in the woods nearby. There are always chicken bones everywhere. People in the cars play loud music from their windows.
'The smell always drifts down to my house.
'At 5am a rubbish truck comes down and makes a horrible screeching noise which wakes me up. I much preferred having a pub there.'
However Phillip Charsley, 60, however says he much prefers living next to a KFC than he would a rowdy pub - even if he dislikes the chicken.
(Image: Tony Kershaw/ SWNS) The resident of four years said: 'I haven't noticed any problems with it. There is a bit of a smell, but it is no worse than a barbeque.
'It used to be a pub and I can't imagine anything worse than that. The sound would have been unbearable.
'It is not the nicest thing to have next door but it isn't really effecting us. The litter was bad for a while, but they seem to have improved it.
'The food is awful, but I don't have many complaints living by it.'
KFC was approached for comment.
