KFC will not be coming to Epsom High Street after the council rejected a planning application from a franchisee.

Iceking Group, which runs franchises of KFC and Pizza Hut, submitted the application to Epsom and Ewell Borough Council in April.

The plans were for a change of use at number 17, currently owned by i-Tech Mobiles and which contained Millets until the middle of 2017, from a shop into a restaurant and takeaway.

Council officers thought this would mean there were too many non-shop buildings in the town centre - a situation the 2007 Core Strategy wants to avoid - and so refused the application.

One member of the public formally objected to the plans, complaining that the extractors would be level with his rear windows and writing "this could mean that I will never be able to open my windows again".

He was also concerned about KFC possibly attracting rodents, and his objection finished with the question: "Does the high street really need another fast food restaurant?"

Iceking Group can appeal the decision to the Secretary of State within 12 weeks.