PROTESTERS fear plans to allow a fast food restaurant, takeaway and convenience store at a congested Halesowen junction could lead to soaring accidents.

A change of use and extension application has been submitted to Dudley Council to remodel the existing Streetbike premises into three units.

The motorcycle business is moving to the former Comet building in Dudley Road at the end of the year, which has paved the way for the change of use bid by Heedgrove Ltd.

A dozen objections have now been lodged with the planning department against the plans for the building on the corner of Mucklow Hill and Long Lane.

Halesowen North councillor Jeff Hill was quick off the mark with a petition which has already collected around 100 signatures from angry residents.

Now fellow Halesowen North councillors Karen Shakespeare and Hilary Bills have waded in with objections.

Cllr Shakespeare said the development, which includes increasing the car parking capacity to 40 spaces, would add to traffic chaos and the potential of more accidents.

Cllr Bills added: “For those residents living near to this site this could lead to increased traffic flow, extra noise, fumes and smells for a greater length of time.”