BOSSES behind plans for a fast food centre that will create 65 jobs have vowed to launch a third attempt to get development built.

Gentian Developments (Totton) Ltd made the pledge just days after withdrawing its latest application to build restaurants and drive-thru facilities for KFC and Costa Coffee.

Gentian wants to redevelop a large piece of land next to the busy Rushington roundabout at Spicers Hill, Totton.

But the scheme, which also includes a shop, has repeatedly come under fire from councillors and people living near the site.

Critics claim the scheme will create extra traffic problems as well as litter, smells and anti-social behaviour.

Gentian’s original application was withdrawn earlier this year after sparking more than 70 objections.

A revised scheme was pulled before it could be debated at this week’s meeting of the district council’s planning committee, which would have been recommended to reject the application.

A report to councillors criticised the design and also cited objections raised by highway chiefs.

It said the application attracted 62 letters of objection from locals and acknowledged that the local highway authority – Hampshire County Council – is satisfied that the scheme would generate only a relatively small increase in traffic.

However, it reveals that the authority has objected on the grounds that it would provide only 49 parking spaces instead of the 68 needed.

Now Gentian is going back to the drawing board with a view to submitting yet another application.

Gentian spokesman Jason Rockett said: “We have continued to address the outstanding points associated with this application. However, due to the complexities of the planning system this has not been possible in the given time limits.

“We therefore decided to withdraw our application with a view to resubmitting proposals which, it is hoped, will satisfy any outstanding points, while continuing to secure the future of the site and bring valuable jobs to the area.”

The site is currently occupied by the Ridgeway Used Car Centre, which Gentian has described as a “barren, tired-looking” area.

The company’s pledge to submit a third set of proposals comes just weeks after the National Park Authority approved plans to turn a former Little Chef complex on the A31 near Ringwood into a McDonald’s.

As reported in the Daily Echo, work on a new McDonald’s in Commercial Road, Totton, is due to start in January.