As a local resident of Bluegates, I received a notice yesterday advising that this wonderful building is to be turned into a KFC restaurant and take-away.

To say this is an utterly abhorrent use of this historic site is an understatement. This cannot possibly be considered appropriate or positive for the area, without even mentioning the increased noise, pollution, litter, negative impact on house prices or further congestion on an already busy junction.

Surely the focus should be on occupying this site with something that will be beneficial to the area, in keeping with the site, that attracts an affluent customer and more importantly, ensures that Ewell is still seen as somewhere that people want to live. Not have it associated with this sort of monstrosity that will do nothing but attract higher volumes of the late night, loud and uncouth visitors we already bear witness to within the BP station opposite.

There is a meeting at Bourne Hall from 4pm-8pm on Wednesday 22nd August and I would urge everyone to appeal against this proposal.

Our wonderful village does not need, or want, this.

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