The opening of a kebab shop would be “another nail in the coffin of the downmarket-isation of Twickenham”, it has been claimed.

Residents have raised strong objections after work began on a new chicken and kebab shop in London Road, Twickenham, arguing it would lead to an increase in litter and noise.

There has also been anger at the name of the shop, Kaka’s, which means excrement in a number of European languages.

One unnamed objector wrote to Richmond Council leader Lord True: “On numerous occasions everyday folk, students and rugby supporters walk past laugh, point and take pictures.

“Is this really something, while your panel is changing the face of Twickenham, you want on your doorstep and the first thing you want visitors seeing when leaving the train station?”

An application has been submitted to the council for a takeaway and restaurant to be opened on the parade, not far from Twickenham stadium.

Despite permission not yet being granted, work has begun on the food outlet.

Ken Drury, of Latham Road, Twickenham, is one of a number of residents who have lodged an objection to the fast food outlet on the council’s website.

He said: “We do not need Kaka’s. Has Twickenham no pride? Every time I leave my home on Latham Road I pick up yellow polystyrene cartons from the fish and chip shop that have been discarded in March Road.

“Clearly another takeaway will exacerbate the problem.

“College student congregation, parking, late night disturbance and street littering will all be further consequences of yet another nail in the coffin of the downmarket-isation of Twickenham.”

A page on Facebook, called Save Our Twickenham Parade, has been set up by residents to get more people to lodge their objections before the June 15 deadline.

Agent for the applicant Richard Smith, of Smith and Company, said the owners had not known the meaning of the word Kaka and would change the name.

They assured residents an extractor fan would be fitted to eliminate smells and bins would be provided in the shop for people to discard waste.

Mr Smith said: “In my experience if something new comes along people fear the worst without knowing the full facts.”

To comment on the story visit the planning pages on Richmond Council's website richmond.gov.uk and type in application number 11/1625/FUL.

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