Nestled on a spit of land overlooking the gently lapping waters of a quiet estuary, this town dubbed England's smallest could claim to be a slice of rural paradise. But trouble is on the horizon in the circular tasty shape of a takeaway pizza, as the world's largest purveyor of the cheesy delivery favourite, Domino's, is set to open a branch in a former bank.

Manningtree, in Essex, which overlooks the tranquil waters of the River Stour, is a short drive down the A137 from Colchester and sits on the edge of the Suffolk & Essex Coast & Heaths National Landscape. The tiny settlement is home to just over 900 people, but already boasts several pubs and restaurants, many of which serve pizza. 

However, plans have now been put forward to turn a former Barclays Bank branch into a Domino's, which would offer takeaway pizzas from 11am to 11pm, and create 25 jobs. 

The Mail Online reports some residents are not happy about the arrival of the pizza chain. Sophie Edwards, who lives just yards from the proposed site, said: "The Barclays building is one of the first buildings you see when entering the town. To be greeted by a Domino's sign would be totally out of place for our historic town."

Rowan Hunter, who runs The Stour Store next door to the site, added: "It would be a complete eyesore compared to the other businesses."

So far more than 120 have objected to the plans to install the globally recognised brand on the High Street. Sarah Mawkes, who runs The Wholefood Store, said: "This is the slow erosion of our culture, we've created something special here in Manningtree, this would ruin it." 

Express.co.uk have contacted Domino's for comment. 

A spokesperson for Domino's, which sells around a billion pizzas globally each year in 90 countries, told the Mail Online: "We bring the joy of the occasional takeaway to customers across the country and use data and local market knowledge to identify where there is demand for our store.

"We also provide employment and development opportunities for local people."

They added that litter will be managed and there were plans for two rear parking spaces. Nearby Colchester, which is 10 miles from Manningtree, has three Domino's branches listed. 

Tendring District Council said it was still hearing public commennts about the plans in Manningtree until May.