A PUBLIC meeting will be held for residents in Llanfoist to voice their concern over a proposed McDonald’s in the village.

Llanfoist Fawr Community Council called the meeting after the fast-food giant lodged an application with Monmouthshire Council to build a restaurant on part of the Westgate site, off Merthyr Road.

The meeting will give residents the chance to look at the plans and to raise concerns or make comments to Councillors Sarah Kirkpatrick, Lesley Palmer and Jayne Smith.

Residents’ concerns include an increase in litter, traffic, noise and the lack of consultation.

Talia Stokes, of The Cutting, was only made aware of the application when another resident showed her a photo of the planning notice that has been put up near the site.

Ms Stokes said: “I personally object. There has been no consultation with residents and people are not aware of the application.

“There is bound to be an increase in litter and traffic, and the designs include a 12-metre-high totem pole with a 24-hour-opening sign.

“It is over-development of the area. It does not suit the gateway to Wales and will look horrendous,” she added.

While the application does not state proposed opening times it does give ideal opening hours of 24 hours per day and seven days a week. However, a spokeswoman for McDonald’s was unable to clarify this.

She said: “It is too early to comment on potential opening hours for this site, we will work with the council on our plans.”

In its application the company claims there is unlikely to be an issue of noise, given that it is next to the A465 and that special extraction and odour-controlling equipment will be introduced as part of the scheme.

It adds that neutral and natural colours and materials will be used on the scheme to ensure the site integrates with the surroundings.

McDonald’s has said it will create 65 jobs.

The public meeting will be held at Llanfoist village hall between 6pm and 9pm on Thursday.