South London KFC’s late-night delivery plans spark fears over ‘deafening’ moped noise

Worcester Park’s KFC has applied to extend its late-night opening hours until 1am on weekdays and 3am on Friday and Saturday

Residents fear “deafening” late-night noise from delivery mopeds if a KFC in Worcester Park is allowed to extend its opening hours until 3am at weekends.

The fast-food chain has applied to Sutton Council to extend its late-night delivery hours until 1am from Monday to Thursday and 3am on Fridays and Saturdays at its branch at 114 Central Road, Worcester Park. More than two dozen residents have objected to the plans, warning that the later hours would bring revving motorbikes, loud conversations and sleepless nights to surrounding residential streets.

Under the plans, the branch would operate for deliveries only during the extended hours, with no public access or in-person collections allowed after midnight on weekdays or after 1am on Fridays and Saturdays. Residents have set out their objections to the proposals in reports published ahead of next week’s licensing meeting on August 10.

“The noise from this service is distressing enough as it is,” said one of the 30 objecting residents (whose names were redacted). “What will happen when there is no ambient noise to disperse the impact of activities?” the resident added.

Another objector said the plans would mean the introduction of more “deafening engine noise” on the high street, with “moped engines starting, idling and revving deep into the night”. The laughing, shouting and loud conversations of delivery drivers serving the branch were also cited as a concern.

Objectors also fear the Worcester Park branch could become a late-night delivery hub, attracting couriers from a wider area as nearby outlets close earlier. Reports note that the nearest drive-thru offering comparable late-night delivery is in Colliers Wood, around five miles away.

Much of residents’ opposition is based on alleged previous disturbances, including commercial waste collections taking place in the early hours of the morning. They believe these incidents show KFC has struggled to manage the impact of its existing operations on local residents.

One resident said the existing late-night disruption was “destroying the sleep and well-being of local children and families”. They added: “I base this on sleep deprivation as a form of abuse.”

Another objector raised concerns about the impact on their neurodivergent child, saying the increased noise could affect their ability to sleep. “It has not been considered [how] the people that live on this residential road will be affected, and it will have an adverse effect on them and will be intolerable,” they said.

Defending the plans, franchise operator K&Z South London Ltd said it had proposed a strict code of conduct requiring delivery drivers to switch off their engines and avoid congregating while waiting for orders. However, objectors questioned how the measures would be enforced and what control Sutton Council would have over the company’s guidelines.

The report confirms that no responsible authorities, including the Metropolitan Police and Environmental Health, have submitted formal objections. Sutton Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee will consider representations from KFC and objectors at next week’s meeting, with a decision expected within five working days of the hearing.

To see all the planning applications, traffic diversions, road layout changes, alcohol licence applications and more in your area, enter your postcode below or visit the Public Notice Portal HERE