The Forest of Dean's first global fast food franchise drive-thru and restaurant has been granted planning permission, this May 2026.
Plans to build a KFC on the edge of Coleford were given the green light by the Forest of Dean District Council's planning committee this week, according to local democracy reporter Carmelo Garcia.
The drive-thru and restaurant seating 38 customers, with a designated area for home delivery collection, will be built on a two-and-a-half acre site off Perrygrove Road that is designated for employment use.
The scheme from Gloucestershire franchise group, NNA Ltd, also includes the creation of two industrial units, around 45 car parking spaces and two large order bays, and walkway improvements, which developers say will ensure the scheme is 'sustainable and well integrated'.
A total of 35 jobs are expected to be created, with 12 full-time employees and 23 part-time positions.
Approval comes after a separate scheme to build a KFC and Greggs at the site was turned down in 2023. Councillors voted to follow officers' recommendation to approve the new scheme, by five votes in favour and three against.
The scheme has divided opinion locally, with many praising its potential to bring the Forest 'into the 21st century', while others have reacted less favourably, opposing its rural location and close proximity to popular visitor attractions Perrygrove Railway and Puzzlewood.
Many also fear for its impact on the town centre, including local, independent food and drink businesses.
A total of 13 residents lodged objections to the plans due to concerns over littering, anti-social behaviour and increased traffic congestion, along with air pollution, odour and loss of privacy in homes and gardens.
At the meeting, committee chairman Dave Wheeler said his constituents were 'split straight down the middle' over the scheme.
Raising concerns over its potential to 'draw economic development from the town centre', he acknowledged that no town centre location was suitable for a drive-thru.
And on the potential impact on health and littering, councillor Julia Gooch commented that 'everybody has a responsibility for themselves, for their health, their diet and for discarding litter'.
A timeline for construction and opening of the new KFC drive-thru and restaurant is not yet known.
