On behalf of Residents Against Fast Food (RAFF), I would like to thank all those involved in opposing KFC’s plans to open as a fast-food take-away restaurant at the site of the Organ and Dragon.

Whether you signed the petition, placed an objection to the two planning applications, attended the council meetings, contacted your local MP or Residents Association representative or wrote to the Inspectorate, we want to say thank you for taking the time and trouble to stand-up and be heard.

Members of RAFF gave up their free time and went to their own expense to fight the plans and engage our local politicians and residents in supporting us to stop the detrimental and adverse traffic that such an establishment would bring to our local area.

RAFF is not a group of lawyers, politicians or nimbys, we are are just a few normal residents wanting to protect the area we live in and its residents.

We are sure that without your help the initial plans would have been passed, unchallenged, by the planning department at Epsom Council.

We are delighted that the Planning Inspectorate dismissed KFC's appeal and supported Epsom and Ewell’s decision to reject KFCs planning application for the same reasons we initially objected over a year ago.

It just shows that normal people can take on the big corporations and win.

It also shows that if you are not apathetic, you can challenge those who are supposed to represent you to really act in the best interests of their constituents.

Although we do not know what the next stage will be for the site of the Organ and Dragon, we hope that the site will eventually become something that benefits our community and we hope that we can count on your continued support. Again, thank you to everyone who supported us and stood with us.

Residents Against Fast Food; via email

 

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