FAST food giant KFC is out of luck if it wants to open a drive-thru in Great Boughton, it would seem.

The overwhelming majority of residents have voted against selling a plot of land to the fried chicken company, even though it could raise £800k for the community.

The parish council has now agreed that the plot to the south of Caldy Valley Church should be kept as a public green space.

It recently held a public consultation to ask locals what they would like to see happen to the land which is mostly grass, shrubs and trees.

The parish council confirmed it had been approached by a fast food franchise – believed to be KFC – which was interested in purchasing the land.

A spokesman said: “Over 200 local residents responded to the survey and most felt that local roads were already suffering from too much traffic congestion and that the land should be kept as a green space.

“Residents also cited fears over increased litter, smell and noise and some were concerned about the loss of wildlife and trees.”

Chester and District Standard:

Residents were consulted about whether this plot of land should be sold.

In total, 170 people wanted the site to remain as an open space, 17 wanted to sell it to the fast food company, and 33 wanted to see the land enhanced.

Chair of the Parish Council, Cllr Peter Bulmer said: “We were really impressed with the strength of feeling shown by local residents and we are looking forward to working with them and the wider community to ensure the future of the land.”

In December last year the Standard reported that opinion appeared to be split on the prospect of KFC setting up shop.

The narrow 0.8 acre strip is currently grassed with trees and plants, and contains a boules court and small community garden.

One resident told this newspaper the arrival of a KFC drive-thru could be a “nightmare”.

He said: “Everyone I have spoken to say the green spaces should be kept, also the traffic would be an absolute nightmare.”

Chester and District Standard:

The existing KFC drive-thru at the Greyhound Retail Park in Chester.

But others on Facebook seem to like the idea, with one man joking that it would provide a community service for people recovering from a heavy night out.

He wrote: “A finger licking prospect! Let's hope this goes ahead! I’d look at it more as a ‘hangover cure centre’ so they’d certainly be doing their bit for the community.”

KFC is known to be looking for a new drive-thru restaurant in Chester, on top of its existing premises on the Greyhound Retail Park.

The company used to have a franchise in the city centre on Foregate Street but it was taken over by Domino’s Pizza.