ALMOST 200 people have put pen to paper to oppose plans for a McDonald's in Leominster.

The takeaway giant has submitted a planning application to build a restaurant on Baron's Cross Road.

But the planning pitch has been met with fierce opposition with 194 people writing to Herefordshire Council to say why the golden arches should not be coming to the site close to the Morrisons supermarket.

Leominster Civic Society is one of the many objectors.

In a statement the group said the proposed area is a greenfield site which was specifically agreed to mitigate the appearance of the petrol station.

"It should therefore be retained as it is now an important positive visual element in the street," the society added.

Leominster Town Council is also against McDonalds moving to the junction.

"The capacity of the access road for the restaurant has been calculated to be four cars," they said. "Any additional vehicles queuing in the access road will create traffic disruption.

"The levels of congestion likely to be created will disrupt the flow of traffic along the A44 especially at peak times and result in gridlock."

The town council also claimed the proposal would be detrimental to the air quality both in this area and at the Bargates junction.

"This area currently does not meet air quality standards and this development will only exacerbate the situation," the town council added.

The planning application has been supported by 16 people, with many citing the extra jobs and choice that the new restaurant will bring to the town.