PEOPLE in Abbey Meads are protesting at plans to create a strip of drive-through fast food restaurants just yards from their homes.

McDonald's and KFC want to build on land near Pennine Way, complete with giant neon signs and late night opening.

There are also plans for a Domino's Pizza parlour and a Blockbuster Video store on the land.

Swindon Council planners are concerned that the scheme is too intensive for the small plot of land.

But they may be powerless to act because of a ruling made 11 years ago that meant the land was given outline permission for commercial use.

The site, which is owned by developer Henry Davidson, is surrounded by houses on three sides and is less than seven metres away from the nearest homes in Westhighland Road.

There are fears that it might cause nasty smells, heavy traffic problems, litter, noise and light pollution. Abbey Meads councillor, Justin Tomlinson (Con), today attacked the councillors who made the decision to allow the site to be developed commercially.

He said: "That ruling was a disgrace. They knew this was going to be a heavily built up area and they should have placed more restrictions on the use of this site."

Tracy Goodwin, 30, whose house in Westhighland Road is less than 10 metres away from the site, said: "We all knew when we bought our houses here that this site was reserved for commercial use, but this is way over the top.

"If it was just one takeaway we could put up with it, but three is really quite a scary thought. It's not just that our houses will be devalued but our ways of living will be made unbearable by the smell, noise and traffic."

She is part of a campaign group, dubbed Ashbrake Residents, that has gathered 254 names on a petition against the plans and is convinced it can stop the development.

John Booth, 38, from Poachers Way, said: "Our biggest concern is the traffic because if it builds up on to the dual carriageway, it will make the junction very dangerous. We believe this is a classic case of over development and can't understand why it can't be built at the Asda Walmart site nearby."

Swindon Council spokeswoman Lynda Fleming said planning officers were concerned about the proposals.

She said: "This could lead to too much traffic, noise, smells and parking problems. Our planners are, therefore, negotiating with the applicant with a view to reducing the overall impact on adjoining properties."

Miss Goodwin, Coun Tomlinson and another homeowner in the area, Michael Haddock, have arranged to meet representatives of each of the companies involved at the site on Friday. They intend to tour other takeaway restaurants in the town to demonstrate how they affect nearby residents.

McDonald's, KFC and Domino's yesterday insisted they had no intention to upset residents and are happy to discuss any concerns they have.

McDonald's said it is investing £1 million in the bid, which would involve an 85-seater restaurant and drive-through. Spokeswoman Jacqui Moore said: "I can understand people's concerns, but it is always our policy to speak to local people and do what we can to allay their fears, because we want to get on with the community."

Nobody from Henry Davidson, the developer behind the application, was available for comment.