CONTROVERSIAL plans to build a second KFC drive-thru in Carlisle are expected to be refused permission.

Supermarket giant Morrisons had applied to build the restaurant on its car park in Kingstown Road.

It would be the fried chicken firm's second Carlisle drive-thru, having recently opened one in London Road.

However it has closed its city centre restaurant.

The north Carlisle application attracted strong opposition, with more than 100 objections submitted.

Concerns included the impact of extra traffic on an already busy junction.

However fans of the fast food firm are keen to see an outlet in the north of the city, and KFC says it would create up to 40 new jobs.

But now planning officers have published their recommendations, stating that permission should be refused.

The final decision will lie with councillors sitting on the authority's development control panel.

They are expected to consider the application at their meeting next Friday.

Three local councillors have also objected to the proposal.

Gareth Ellis, city councillor for Belah and Kingmoor, welcomed the recommendation of refusal.

He said: “It’s good news for the people who live in this area of Carlisle.

"Following a consultation, which resulted in over 100 formal objections, the planners at Carlisle council have taken heed of the potential problems on Scotland Road and Kingstown Road.

"As their local representative, I’ve had conversations with Cumbria Highways about traffic concerns, and the city council in regard to the suitability of sitting a fast food restaurant with long opening hours in the middle of an industrial area. Potential noise and smell nuisances caused significant worries."

Officers have set out four key reasons for refusal.

The first is that it does not pass the test for out of town developments - which must show other more central or edge of centre sites have first been considered.

The noise impact on nearby properties is also flagged up in the report, with officers saying that there is insufficient information about the potential disruption.

Traffic issues are also a concern - particularly access via the existing Morrisons junction.

The report states: "The Transport Assessment submitted on behalf of the applicant contains insufficient information to fully assess the highway safety impacts of the proposed development on the existing junction and car parking provision within the site."

Finally there are fears the new restaurant and drive-thru will become a gathering point for motorists and customers, resulting in a rise of antisocial behaviour, noise and disruption to nearby residents.

Morrisons/KFC had proposed reducing opening times and erecting barriers in the car park to offset this.

But officers conclude: "The crime prevention measures put forward by the applicant would not alleviate this concern.

"The proposal has the potential to create antisocial behaviour arising from the proposed opening hours and patrons being able to access the whole of Morrisons car park.

"Consequently the proposal will not create a safe and secure environment and will have an adverse impact upon the residential properties that surround the site."