New images reveal how a controversial McDonald’s drive-thru will look beneath Dover Castle.

The fresh illustrations, submitted to the district council, show how the restaurant contrasts with the imposing Norman fortress high on the clifftop.

Announced in April, the scheme has sparked a huge backlash as residents fear the drive-thru will taint the view of the 12th-century landmark.

Situated on the corner of Townwall Street and Woolcomber Street, the site was home to Dover Leisure Centre until it was demolished in 2020.

Since then, the land has been split between empty space and a car park.

If approved, the 24-hour restaurant would be the town’s only McDonald’s, with the closest four miles away in Whitfield.

Three other pictures have been released, with one showing the potential restaurant from above, while two others show different angles from the ground.

Earlier this year, the Friends of Castle Conservation Area Dover group launched a campaign against the proposal, which is being considered by Dover District Council (DDC).

Member Louis Melville says the building “is just totally out of context with the area and most certainly spoils the view of the castle”.

“The building could be anywhere, and it’s on the edge of the Dover Castle conservation area,” he said.

“This will totally change the whole conservation area to its detriment.

“The architectural design should be on a motorway somewhere, not next to historic buildings.”

The restaurant plot sits next to the ruins of St James’ Church, which has sparked fears graves could be disturbed.

Traffic worries have also been flagged, including by DDC leader Cllr Kevin Mills (Lab).

He previously told KentOnline: “I’m concerned about traffic congestion, as we already have a lot of that in Dover, and the land could have been better used.

“Even an extension of parking could have been better.”

The project will include 55 spaces - including 10 for electric car charging - and will create 120 jobs.

Five-hundred people have now commented on the proposal on DDC’s planning portal, with more than 300 of those submitting objections.

A McDonald’s spokesman previously told KentOnline: “We are excited about the opportunity to open a new restaurant in Dover and look forward to continuing our discussions with the council and local residents to address any concerns.”

McDonald’s used to have a town centre restaurant in Biggin Street, but it shut down in November 2017 and is currently empty.

At the time, the company said the decision to close “was not taken lightly” and 45 staff members were offered jobs at other locations.

Find out about planning applications that affect you by visiting the Public Notice Portal.

The closure of the restaurant came almost exactly on the 30th anniversary of its opening in autumn 1987.

A decision on the plans is expected to be made before May.