One of the UK's most popular fast-food chains will not be opening a new drive-thru restaurant after it was knocked back by the council.

A proposal to create a KFC drive-thru at a petrol station forecourt on the A41 in Elstree has been rejected by Hertsmere Borough Council.

Euro Garages Ltd submitted plans for a two-storey KFC on green belt land, which would see a car wash demolished.

An aerial view of the site. The car wash is the building to the left of the filling pumps. Customers at the service station can already visit Subway and Greggs

But planning officer Sinead Normoyle decided that the plans were "inappropriate development" in the green belt.

Ms Normoyle said there were no special circumstances demonstrated which would allow development on the green belt.

Euro Garages argued that the openness of the green belt would be "preserved" even if the development went ahead.

KFC has an existing drive-thru restaurant further up the A41 at Apex Corner, near Edgware, as well as branches in Borehamwood and Watford.