FRUSTRATED Ferndown residents are taking action after their opposition to a KFC drive through takeaway failed.


More than 50 people attended a meeting to set up the Ferndown Residents Association and make their voices heard at the district council.


The move comes after controversial applications for a KFC restaurant at the old Volvo garage and a pedestrian crossing along Ringwood Road, plus flats in Golf Links Road were passed.


A protestors’ statement read: “East Dorset District Council is setting a precedent for the area which none of us want.


“They seem determined to turn our semi-rural, peaceful location into yet another seedy, run-down metropolis, full of takeaways, garish advertising hoardings and a Mecca for anti-social behaviour.”


The group want to take a stand for the community.


An organiser, Carol Atkins, lives at Homelands House, where residents lost a fight against a pedestrian crossing outside on Ringwood Road that they say is in a dangerous position.


She said: “We want to stop things like this happening again.


“We want to work with the councils rather than against them, but we feel the council was greedy because it is cash-strapped and can’t say no when developers come round.”


People raised fears about an estimated 56 cars visiting the KFC every hour. It will have 18 parking spaces.

Carol added: “Where are all those cars going to queue up? Along the Ringwood Road and then they’ll probably snake onto Victoria Road.”


Supporters of the residents association will hold elections for committee positions and write a manifesto in the near future.


Email ferndown.ra@hotmail. co.uk for details.