ALMOST 14 years after losing a public inquiry over its plans to build a restaurant on the eastern approach to Abergavenny, fast food giant McDonald's is set to try again with plans submitted to bring a restaurant to Llanfoist. McDonald's has confirmed that it is planning to open a drive-thru restaurant on the Westgate site on Merthyr Road site, just off the A465 Heads of the Valleys Road with a promise of 65 local jobs. A spokesperson from McDonald's said, "We can confirm that plans have been submitted for a new restaurant at Westgate in Llanfoist.  A new McDonald's would bring investment to the area and provide at least 65 full and part-time jobs for the community.  "We are excited about the prospect of investing in the area and will work with the council on our plans." Despite the jobs boost the news has not been well received by many of those who live in the area with many fearing that the new proposal with its proximity to the busy A465, has failed to address the road safety fears raised in the public inquiry in 2001. Mayor of Abergavenny Councillor Martin Hickman, who represents Llanfoist on Monmouthshire County Council said that just days after the application was submitted he had already been inundated with complaints from residents about the proposed development, and says he understands the concerns of the people of Llanfoist. Councillor Hickman said, "A lot of people are complaining about the impact on the local landscape on the entrance to the World Heritage site, and the danger of getting to the site on foot. As the ward councillor for Llanfoist I will be looking into all of the concerns from my constituents." Local couple, Brian and Jenny Barnes have expressed their concerned that the restaurant will be an eyesore and will create a litter problem for the village. Mr?Barnes said, "The road itself is already an eyesore with the signs and the barriers, but the introduction of a McDonald's will just make that worse. When we go away for a break and then come back it really hits home how this is supposed to be the 'Gateway to Wales' and it doesn't look too appealing. "Having a McDonald's here isn't really the best addition to an already unattractive site." Mrs Barnes added her fears that Llanfoist was fast becoming a 'dumping ground for things that Abergavenny wants but doesn't want to see' and fears that the restaurant could be another example of this. "Llanfoist is a lovely village, and we don't want it to end up full ugly looking sites that take away its character,"?"Overall it doesn't seem like many people in the village really want McDonald's to come here," said Mrs Barnes. With the plans submitted to Monmouthshire County Council, Llanfoist Fawr Community Council will be invited to consult on the bid and will be meeting this week to consider them ahead of its next planning meeting. Councillor Lesley Palmer, said, "As a community council we have only recently been made aware of this application. At the moment I have not received many responses from residents as the news has just broken, but I do feel that it will not be a popular one. It will increase traffic levels through Llanfoist and make life a lot more difficult for those who live close to it. "It is also not the ideal image to have on the entry to the Heritage site and on the gateway to Wales, being greeted with a giant yellow 'M". Overall I do not think it will be a popular move, but I will await feedback from those who live in the area and at the community council we will consider it fully before making any decisions." Other residents however are less reluctant to welcome the 'golden arches' of McDonalds and the jobs boost to the area it promises. Councillor Martin Hickman told the Chronicle, "The development is expected to bring 65 jobs to the area, and though many people may not agree with the addition of a McDonald's, anything that can help cut unemployment is worthwhile. The jobs may only be minimum wage, but it is a start for people to get on the job ladder, and news like that has to be welcomed." Meanwhile the debate is set to begin in earnest in the coming weeks with Llanelly Community Council planning to hold a public meeting in the coming weeks ahead of its recommendation to MCC. A date for the meeting will be confirmed in the next few weeks.