A private school is up in arms over plan to open a McDonald's and Costa Coffee yards from its school gates – because it's worried snobby parents won't send their kids there.
Governors of £7,000-a-year Haberdashers School in Monmouth, South Wales, say the fast food outlets would 'dissuade potential parents'.
They said the proposed McDonald's, Costa Coffee, Marston's public house and a Pets at Home store would be 'inappropriate' and would lose the school money and teaching jobs.
They said: "We are concerned that such a highly visible and inappropriate sited development in such close proximity to the school would be likely to have the detrimental effect of dissuading potential parents from sending their children to the school.
"Any reduction in pupil numbers could result in a reduction in the staff employed by the school."
The governors also highlighted the concerns of an increase in traffic, road safety for pupils and overspill parking in the car park at the school's pre-prep site for three-to-seven-year-olds.
Haberdasher's Monmouth School - whose motto is 'Serve and Obey' - was founded under James I in 1614 as a grammar school for boys.
It was rebuilt in 1865 and now boasts single-sex boarding schools for boys and girls, with annual fees of £25,000, as well as a prep school and pre-prep school.
However, Gary Whitcombe, former Monmouth town councillor, said the shopping development by Avenbury Ventures LLP would give the rural town a boost.
Mr Whitcombe, 77, said the shops and restaurants would create 147 'much-needed' jobs for local people.
He told the Telegraph: "I have spoken to many people who support the scheme. There are no jobs here and many people are forced to travel to other areas to work.
"This would be a huge boost for the town and another restaurant will give people more choice."
The developer said the scheme will create 147 jobs while redeveloping a vacant site.
The application has yet to be considered by Monmouthshire council's planning committee.