Brussels officials have fought back against a proposal from fast food giant KFC to set up in Chaussée d'Ixelles, warning that the area could become a 'junk food neighbourhood'.
The fried chicken chain - which will open its first Belgian branch in Gare du Nord station - also had plans for a restaurant on the Chaussée d'Ixelles, but the municipality of Ixelles has refused an urban development permit.
"KFC had requested a change of function for a building on the Chaussée d'Ixelles, which is now an ING office," said Ixelles alderman for urban planning Yves Rouyet (Ecolo), according to Bruzz.
"We have refused the planning permission because the district is already saturated with fast-food restaurants. For a business district, it is important that there is enough diversity in commercial activities. The arrival of KFC would be a bad thing," said Rouyet.
Public health is another argument raised against the chicken chain, as "there are already restaurants of Quick and McDonald's," said Rouyet. "Not so long ago Burger King was added. We want to avoid this becoming a 'junk food neighbourhood'," he added.
KFC is appealing against the refusal of the permit, but Rouyet believes that the American fast food chain will not be proved right. "The city of Brussels had already refused a licence for a kebab shop in a district where there were already many fast-food restaurants. In the end, the City was right."
Jules Johnston
The Brussels Times
