New plans dropped for Northfield KFC on Grand Junction Rd

It was the site of a sand and metal depot for years, now it is slated to become an iconic fast food restaurant located hundreds of metres from a school and next to a Macca’s.

The former site of a sand and metal depot on a busy northern road will be the site of the state’s newest “Dirty Bird”, if plans are approved.

Plans to build a KFC on Grand Junction Rd at Northfield have been revealed as part of an application by construction group Bella Build & Design.

If approved, the iconic fast-food restaurant would be constructed about 400 metres from Roma Mitchell Secondary College and 100 metres from a McDonald’s on the corner of Grand Junction Rd and Briens Rd.

The 705-707 Grand Junction Rd site was home to Northfield Sand & Metal for several years.

The plans, released through Plan SA by Future Urban and Nielsen Architects, will now be open for community consultation until March 21.

An artist visualisation of the proposed KFC on Grand Junction Rd at Northfield. Picture: Neilsen Architects

The current site at 705 Grand Junction Rd, Northfield. Picture: Google

From then, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield council’s Assessment Panel will review the plans and decide if planning consent will be granted.

Even before the plans were released for public consultation, the council requested further information on some elements of how the site would come together.

Those included the site’s access and exit points, lighting, carparking, landscaping and advocated for bicycle access and parking.

According to the plans, the KFC will be open from 7am until midnight, seven days per week.

The plans come amid a rezoning and boom of development in the area including the upcoming Lightsview Shopping Centre, two XConvenience service stations and a Vili’s at Hillcrest.

Ward councillor Mark Basham said the initial reception to news KFC could be coming to the area had been widely positive.

Sharing it among his constituents, he said, had seen many remark they were looking forward to it and other companies setting up shop in the area.

“On the whole I would say it’s positive,” he said.

“Most people are looking forward to it and other new shops in the area.

“I would be stunned id there was any representations opposing it and I can’t see why there would be any on planning grounds.”

While Mr Basham said the feedback had so far been positive, the proximity of the KFC to Roma Mitchell spurs memories of a fierce debate between a community and a McDonald’s in 2012.

That proposal would have seen the fast-food giant erected across from Woodville Primary School and saw nutritional experts lash out against the Charles Sturt Council.