Developers have shelved plans to open a new McDonald's following a barrage of objections from fearful villagers.

The fast-food restaurant was envisaged to be the flagship unit on a new business park off the Thanet Way in Dargate, between Faversham and Whitstable.

But the firm behind the project, George Wilson Developments, has withdrawn its bid and ditched the drive-thru proposal in the face of mounting opposition.

This is despite hopes the golden arches could alleviate pressure at the ever-busy Chestfield branch - and also cater for the absence of a McDonald's in Faversham.

Developer Josh Wilson told KentOnline: "We had McDonald's planned but it was creating a load of objections, and holding up the planning process.

"Because of that, we were potentially looking at losing the tenants we have lined up for the rest of the site.

"We didn't want that to happen and needed things to move on.

"We had parish council support but the ward councillors were against it, so at that stage we decided to withdraw the plan.

"It's a shame but we might revisit it at a later date. We may do McDonald's or it might be something else. But for the time being, we aren't planning a McDonald's."

Scores of residents from the surrounding villages of Yorkletts, Hernhill and Dargate expressed concerns over increases in litter and traffic as a result of the drive-thru.

They lodged objections stating how the new McDonald's "would make living here hell", while others questioned the need for the restaurant.

Despite the recent blow, the fast-food giant still has its sights set on opening in the area.

"There's no doubt about it, they want to be in the area," Mr Wilson said.

"They aren't represented in Faversham at the minute.

"We aren't talking to them about any other sites at the moment, they might be talking to another developer but I have no idea."

While the plan to bring the Big Mac to Faversham has been shelved, the proposals for other businesses at the 2.5-acre plot remain alive.

Mr Wilson says Kent-based entertainment firm Luna Cinema still wants to open a storage hub at the site, while IT company The Change Organisation also wants to call Dargate its home.

The plot of land proposed for development, which is encircled by Highstreet Road and the Plumpudding Lane overbridge crossing the Thanet Way, is currently a grassy paddock.

Mr Wilson says he is confident the scheme - minus McDonald's - will be approved. The revised plans were resubmitted to Swale Borough Council at the end of that last week.