Takeaways approved despite path safety concerns

Wendy's is expanding its chain of restaurants in the UK

Plans have been approved for a new fast food restaurant and coffee shop despite safety concerns for people travelling there.

Wendy's and Starbucks will be built on disused land off Hall Road in Norwich.

Officials at Norfolk County Council objected, warning a path on to the site was not wide enough to be used by pedestrians and cyclists at the same time.

But Norwich City Council approved the proposals, after developers said signs would be used to tell people to get off their bikes.

The two drive-through units will go on land formerly used by Norwich Training Services.

A report by the city council's planning department said they would offer "economic benefits" with up to 70 full and part-time jobs created.

The site would be on land near to University Technical College Norwich and a retail park

Wendy's – a well-known American chain – announced plans to return to the UK four years ago, with up to 400 outlets.

None have opened in Norfolk, although planning permission was given for one on the northern outskirts of Norwich last year.

The county council's highway department objected to the Hall Road plan on the basis that a 1.8m-wide (6ft) ramp on to the site was not wide enough to be used by both pedestrians and cyclists.

In a letter, highways development management officer Kieran Yates said the authority's vision for Hall Road was "a sustainable travel corridor" and a 3m (10ft) width was needed for that.

Developers said signage would be installed, telling people to dismount their bikes.

City council planners approved the site and said the change was "satisfactory" although they admitted in a report "a wider access road would be preferable".