A HIGHWAYS engineer found the number of children crossing a busy road to use a McDonald's restaurant - like one planned for Abergavenny - was "horrific", a county council officer said.

Monmouthshire council solicitor Maggie Frith told councillors: "Our highways engineer has carried out a survey on other McDonald's sites and has found another site in a similar situation to the Abergavenny one where the number of children crossing the road to use it is quite horrific."

The research was carried out on behalf of Monmouth-shire county council in preparation for a public inquiry in September when the fast-food company appeals against the authority's refusal to grant planning permission.

The company wants to build a drive-through facility and an 85-seater restaurant in part of the car park at Brandons' turkey factory off the Hardwick roundabout in Abergavenny.

Hundreds of people have already signed a petition drawn up by two young mums, Kim Colebrook and Alison Briggs, who live on the Ysbytty Fields estate which is the closest residential area to the factory.

Councillor Grant Williams said: "Ysbytty Fields is a stone's throw from the site and youngsters will undoubtedly cross the road to get there."

Two public meetings have been organised by one of the local county councillors Chris Woodhouse and a third will be held at Abergavenny town hall on Monday, September 17, two days before the two-day public inquiry starts.

Mrs Frith said all correspondence should be sent to her as she is co-ordinating the council's evidence at the inquiry, and that includes a copy of letters to the National Assembly planning inspector chairing the hearing.

She added: "It carries weight with the inspector if you write in, but people can also turn up and ask to speak at the hearing if they wish."

The scheme is opposed by Monmouth MP Huw Edwards, AM David Davies, Abergavenny town council and chamber of trade and Abergavenny and Crickhowell Friends of the Earth.