MORE than 200 people have signed a petition opposing a bid to open a McDonald’s restaurant in Llanfoist.

Concerned villagers have formed a group to campaign against the bid by the food giant to build on the Westgate Site, off Merthyr Road.

The as-yet unnamed group, launched the ‘No to McDonald’s in Llanfoist’ group on the social networking site Facebook and received 265 ‘likes’ in less than 48-hours.

The petition calls for the application, which was lodged with Monmouthshire council last month, to be scrapped.

The group, which is also made up of residents from the wider Abergavenny area, fears the development will be highly visible from landmarks such as Abergavenny Castle, the Sugarloaf, Skirrid and Blorenge Mountains and cause an increase in litter, traffic and noise.

Talia Stokes, a resident and member of the 25-strong group, said it was set up because of a lack of awareness about the proposal.

She said concerns include a 12 metre-high totem pole displaying the golden ‘M’ and 24-hour opening times.

The group is also concerned that the site is at the gateway to the Brecon Beacons National Park and Blaenavon World Heritage Site and believes that a family business, such as a bakery would be better.

It also feels it is promoting unhealthy food, increased light pollution in an area that has Brecon Beacons National Park Dark Skies Status, and posing a threat to local wildlife.

Ms Stokes said a drop-in consultation session, organised by Llanfoist Fawr Community Council at Llanfoist village hall on Thursday night, was well-attended.

She said: “Over 200 people signed the petition at the drop-in and 265 people have ‘liked’ the facebook page in the first day.

“Many residents were seeing the plans for the first time and were not aware of the proposal. The views were incredibly opposing.”

In a separate application, Whitbread PLC has permission for a Premier Inn and Brewer’s Fayre on the same site but has deferred a decision on a bid to open a Costa Coffee.

McDonalds say the restaurant would create 65 jobs and noise is not likely to be an issue, given that it is next to the A465. It adds that neutral and natural colours and materials will be used on the scheme to ensure the site integrates with the surroundings.

The application has yet to be considered by Monmouthshire council.