A public inquiry into the rejection of KFC’s plans to turn a historic pub into a fast food restaurant and takeaway started at Epsom town hall yesterday.

The Government’s Planning Inspectorate is holding a three-day enquiry into Epsom Council’s decision, taken in December last year, to reject a planning application by the fast food giant to turn the Organ and Dragon, which was an English pub and Thai restaurant, in London Road, Ewell, into a KFC restaurant and takeaway.

The majority on the council's planning committee said that development on the site, at the junction of London Road and Ewell By-Pass, would have "an adverse impact on the highway’s safety".

KFC said it was disappointed that the application was rejected as it felt KFC would be "a positive addition to the community in Ewell" and appealed the decision.

A second planning application submitted by KFC, which it said aimed to address the highway safety concerns originally raised by councillors, was again thrown out in March.

The inquiry, which is scheduled to finish tomorrow, is open to the public.