Plans for two new fast food restaurants in Diss have been thrown out due to concerns over their impact on the environment.
The proposals would have created new drive-through outlets for Burger King and Costa, plus a number of electric car charging points, off Victoria Road.
Planning officers had recommended that the plans be refused on the grounds that the development, located next to the River Waveney, would have a detrimental impact on the landscape, giving rise to littering, noise and light pollution.
Speaking on behalf of Diss Town Council, Richard Peaty told members of South Norfolk Council’s planning committee on Wednesday that he and his colleagues supported the application.
He said: “High-speed EV charging is a major environmental objective to meet the challenge of climate change, while the additional employment would bring a lasting benefit to Diss.
“If this application was refused, it would be a loss to the community as facilities like this will be needed much more in the future.”
Cllr Peaty said that town council had taken the view that the social and economic benefits of the application outweighed the environmental costs, especially if those were mitigated by suitable planning conditions.
District councillor Keith Kiddie said he supported the town council in its view.
“What I consider really important is the employment potential of this site,” he said. “The prospect of 40 jobs has to be seriously considered.”
But fellow councillor Graham Minshull disagreed. “If this application was purely for charging points I would support it, but I have serious concerns.
“We have a nature reserve to the north of the site, which has a load of wildlife considerations.”
Seven councillors voted in favour of refusing the application, with one abstaining.
