Residents of a quiet South London neighbourhood have objected to a KFC branch's plans to extend its delivery hours until 2am, citing concerns that noise from delivery drivers' mopeds would disturb their sleep. The branch, located on North Parade in Chessington, applied to stay open until 1am on Mondays to Thursdays and until 2am on Fridays and Saturdays, with deliveries only after 11pm. The application, submitted by operator K&Z Newhaven Ltd, received 15 objections in total.
Residents voice concerns at licensing hearing
At a licensing hearing held by Kingston Council on August 13, objectors argued that most delivery drivers arrive at the branch on noisy mopeds, which would create a nuisance in an area that is otherwise very quiet at night. Lib Dem councillor Joanne Barker said, "You can't guarantee that people are not turning up to this premises on mopeds… you can't guarantee it's electric vehicles and, as I say, this place is absolutely pin-drop quiet at night."
Resident David Williams echoed these concerns, stating, "It's after 11pm in that area when, as Councillor Barker said, it does go very, very quiet and any disturbance in the street as well is very, very noticeable if you're a resident and trying to sleep." He added, "I can tell you that it's mostly mopeds and scooters and they are a scourge in the daytime, the noise from these things. In the night-time it will be awful, and to be honest I think I'd look at moving away if that's how it goes."
Applicant argues for limited impact
Lawyer Piers Warne, representing the applicant, argued that the branch only expects a small number of delivery drivers at night, who would be able to leave quicker than during the day and are increasingly using quieter electric vehicles. He said, "We appreciate obviously that there will be some limited noise on occasions, but the frequency of pick-ups, the increased use of electric vehicles and the code of conduct, we would submit, would not amount to a public nuisance in the sense that we need to think about it for the licensing objectives."
Mr Warne also noted that the venue had not received any complaints during a temporary permission to stay open until 2am for deliveries on nights in June and July. He added, "This is a very robust operating schedule. It offers significant protections, not just during the hours of licence but at other times."
Decision pending
The responsible authorities did not object to the application. The licensing committee's decision on the application will be published in the coming days.
