OBJECTORS to the proposed McDonald's restaurant on the outskirts of Abergavenny fiercely voiced their opinions at the second day of the public inquiry into the scheme.

The fast food company has appealed against the decision of Monmouthshire county council to refuse permission for the drive-through restaurant which will seat 85, to be built on part of the car park at Brandons turkey factory.

Mother, Alison Briggs, made an emotional appeal to planning inspector Ian Osborne to turn down the appeal on the grounds of pedestrian safety.

She said: "If youngsters in the town were given a choice between eating in the town centre or making a 10 or 15-minute walk to McDonald's, I've no doubt what choice they would make."

Mrs Briggs, who lives on the estate closest to the site added: "My nine-year-old son would be tempted to cross what is a highly-dangerous and deadly road. "I don't want to lose my son and I don't want anybody to lose their child through something which could be avoided."

Abergavenny mayor Anthony O'Donovan, who also lives on the estate, said he feared for children's safety if the McDonald's appeal was allowed.

He said: "At the moment it's safe as it is, but if this appeal is allowed I fear for their safety." Traffic flows along the Heads of the Valleys road at Abergavenny will increase substantially when the road is dualled, said highways engineer Alan Rookes from Gwent Consultancy.

He said the amount of traffic would further increase if McDonald's are allowed to build their drive-through restaurant just off the Hardwick roundabout.

He added: "A study at a similar McDonald's restaurant at Cwmgwrach (Glynneath) has shown there is a movement of pedestrians to the restaurant at a roundabout on a high speed dual carriageway.

"Site conditions at the Cwmgwrach restaurant are comparable to the appeal site, although traffic volumes are less than on the A465 adjacent to the proposed Abergavenny restaurant."

Mr Rookes said that as a result of his study he believed the proposal was unacceptable on pedestrian safety grounds.

The hearing at Abergavenny's Angel Hotel will end today with closing submissions.

*PICTURED: A young protester outside the Angel Hotel, Abergavenny, where the inquiry is being held.