Developers have defended their plan to open a new McDonald's off the Thanet Way amid fears from residents it will "make their life hell".

The new drive-thru is set to be the flagship unit at a proposed business park in Dargate, between Faversham and Whitstable.

It is hoped the restaurant will alleviate pressure at the ever-busy Chestfield branch, as well as cater for the absence of an existing McDonald's in Faversham.

But residents living in surrounding the villages of Yorkletts, Hernhill and Dargate are fearful of increases in litter and traffic as a result of the development.

The proposals - submitted by George Wilson Developments to Swale Borough Council last month - have so far attracted about 20 objections.

Hernhill resident Clare Ganderton said: "The proposed area does not lend itself to a McDonald's drive-thru at all.

"Traffic through the small lanes through the local villages will absolutely increase as they will be used as a cut-through by those living in surrounding areas.

"All local lanes leading to the proposed site are mostly wide enough for only one vehicle. There are no paths."

Others say litter from the existing nearby businesses, including Starbucks, Costa and Subway, is an "enormous" issue with rubbish flying around the villages and nestling in hedgerows.

Dargate Road resident Julie Deachamps says "McDonald's would make living here hell", while Jeff Clark argues "there is clearly no need" for another fast-food restaurant.

Paul Marsh added: "If the need is for Faversham residents, then locate a McDonald's in Faversham where the need is, avoiding unnecessary vehicle usage and littering the local villages and country lanes."

Those behind the project say the location is a prime spot for a new restaurant, and state the demand is there.

Developer Josh Wilson says there will not be an increase in congestion or country lane woes as a result of the scheme.

"McDonald's predicts customers will be from passing traffic on the dual carriageway," he said.

"They are not anticipating significant traffic growth, so there won't be issues on surrounding roads.

"We don't believe there will be a significant amount of traffic, if any. There's been significant modelling for this scheme and we're confident about it.

"Other businesses on the site won't be offices, they will be for storage. So there won't be more traffic."

In regards to the litter fears, Mr Wilson says the new development will help reduce rubbish rather than give rise to it.

"The nearby Subway, Costa and Starbucks do not have litter management plans," he said.

"But McDonald's always sign litter agreements - they organise daily litter picks to clean up the roads.

"There's nothing being done about the existing litter, but when McDonald's opens there will be daily picks done for free.

"The nearest person to have lodged an objection lives just over half a mile from the site.

"This is a site which can't be used for anything else - it can't be for farming.

"Hernhill Parish Council has been unanimous in supporting it and we believe this will improve the area."

The new McDonald’s, which is planned to open next year, is envisaged to create 30 full-time jobs.

The drive-thru and dine-in restaurant will form part of a new business park home to three industrial units, including a storage hub for Kent-based entertainment firm Luna Cinema.

The company, which is majority-owned by industry giant Sony, prides itself on being the “country’s leading producer of open-air cinema events” - hosting movie screenings at locations such as Leeds Castle and Clapham Common.

The new base off the Thanet Way will house the giant screens and be used as a distribution centre.

It has not yet been revealed which other firms will be taking up residence at the business park.

The 2.5-acre triangular plot of land, encircled by Highstreet Road and the Plumpudding Lane overbridge crossing the Thanet Way, is currently a grassy paddock.