Dozens of new jobs are in the pipeline after plans were approved for a new McDonalds restaurant near King's Lynn.

The fast food giant is to open a drive-through facility at the former Little Chef off the Pullover roundabout in West Lynn after planning permission was granted today (Thursday).

As well as bringing the eye-sore building back into use, it is hoped the development will create up to 60 full and part-time jobs in the area.

Today's decision, made by West Norfolk Council officers under delegated powers, follows a formal objection by the hotel chain next to the site.

The Whitbread Group, which operates the neighbouring Premier Inn and the Brewers Fayre restaurant, raised a plethora of concerns relating to anti-social behaviour, noise, littering and nuisance parking.

Guests are guaranteed a good night's sleep or their money back and a letter to planners warned that 24-hour opening would be 'extremely detrimental' to the business.

The council's environmental team also raised concerns about the potential for noise and disturbance during the night from people and vehicles, suggesting that opening times be limited.

But officers conclude its would be 'unreasonable' to restrict trade when Little Chef was allowed to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

'However limiting the hours of the drive-through, a new use, is considered necessary given the likelihood of drive-through patrons eating their meals in the McDonalds car park and generating noise (music, talking, revving of engines) which will cause disturbance to the patrons of the hotel,' the report states.

A condition attached to the planning permission means the drive-through part of the restaurant can only open between 6am and 11pm from Monday to Saturday.

McDonalds has also applied for advertising consent for illuminated 'golden arch' signs at the site.