IT sparked protests, two enquiries and angered more than 100 residents.

But that didn’t stop one of Britain’s biggest retailers pushing ahead with multi-million pound plans for a coffee shop and KFC.

But now the Daily Echo can reveal that the controversial development has been mysteriously put on hold – amid rumours that one of the retailers due to move in has pulled out.

Costa Coffee is among the companies involved in a scheme to create at least 65 jobs by transforming a site next to the busy Rushington roundabout at Totton.

The proposed development includes restaurants and drive-thru facilities for Costa and KFC plus a food store.

But building work has been postponed indefinitely amid claims that an unnamed retailer due to occupy the food shop has pulled out.

Last night a Costa Coffee spokesman said: “We have been advised by the developer that the current plan for the site is on hold.”

It follows comments made by ward councillor David Harrison, one of about 100 people who criticised the proposed development at a public meeting.

Cllr Harrison said: “It was expected that the new development would start shortly. However, the liaison group of local residents has discovered that the whole scheme has now been put ‘on hold’. Apparently at least one of the businesses expected to occupy the site has pulled out.

“At this stage it’s not known whether this will mean delays of weeks, months, or even years.”

Last night the company behind the project, Gentian Develop-ments, issued a statement saying that Costa and KFC were still involved in the scheme.

The statement appeared to confirm speculation that the hold-up has been caused by problems involving the proposed food store.

Totton councillor Chris Lagdon, a fierce critic of the scheme, said: “With the retail industry in the doldrums companies are looking to save money rather than invest in new outlets.

“The development should never have been approved – HGVs passing the site on their way to Marchwood mean it’s an accident waiting to happen.”

Julian Lewis, Tory parliamentary candidate in New Forest East, added: “If the plans have indeed been put on hold it would be interesting to know if it’s because of concerns expressed by the local community or whether there are doubts about the viability of such a business in such a location.”

The proposed development led to one of the biggest planning battles seen in the town for years. Hundreds of people ob-jected when plans to build the driv-thrus were unveiled in 2012.

Campaigners claimed that extra traffic would endanger other road users as well as pupils of nearby Hounsdown School, which was among the objectors. Concern was also raised about anti-social behaviour and the amount of litter likely to be generated by the two restaurants.

The scheme was rejected by the district council last summer in a move that delighted locals. But their joy turned to anger after Gentian lodged an appeal and a Government-appointed planning inspector quashed the authority’s decision.

Hounsdown head teacher Julie Turvey said her views on road safety had been ignored.