COUNCILLORS have backed calls for permission to be refused for a new fast-food outlet in Lichfield.
McDonald’s has previously seen plans for the former Central Co-op headquarters off Eastern Avenue rejected.
But the fast-food giant has returned with new proposals – which include shorter opening hours – for the site.
Residents have already raised objections to the revised plans due to concerns about litter and increased traffic.
Cllr Russ Bragger, who represents Stowe ward on Lichfield District Council and Lichfield City Council and lives near the proposed development, said he had called in the decision for consideration by the planning committee.
“Although I welcome investment and jobs in Lichfield, this proposed fast-food drive-through and restaurant is in the wrong place.
“McDonald’s will have litter pickers in the immediate area and will install filters on the cooking extractor fans, but we know that residents over a wider area will suffer from litter and uneaten food being dumped in their gardens and around their houses..
“Those residents closer to the restaurant will also have the smell for 18 hours per day.
“Unfortunately we know that evening opening fast-food business often attract anti-social behaviour and that is not acceptable for those who live close by.”
Cllr Russ Bragger
In a planning statement, McDonald’s said the development would “ensure that the site remains in use and continues to contribute to the local economy and employment”.
But Stowe ward’s Cllr Ann Hughes said the impact of the new drive-thru would pose problems.
“There will be additional traffic and pollution if this development were to go ahead.
“Cars turning right from and onto Eastern Avenue without a filter lane will add to the congestion at busy times and could cause great difficulty for the many ambulances that use this route from the ambulance base.
“We know that many cars in the queue will leave their engines running causing noise and pollution for the residents who live close to the proposed drive-through.”
Cllr Ann Hughes
Rebecca Dennis, who lives opposite the site, said she was “devastated” to see the new plans being put forward.
“The inevitable noise, litter, pollution, traffic and anti-social behaviour are our main concerns as we face with the possibility of living opposite a McDonald’s.
“We were overjoyed when the first application was rejected by the council, but my partner and I are devastated to see that McDonald’s have made a second application.
“The new application states it will open 6am to midnight instead of 24 hours. It’s not acceptable and will cause so much disruption and misery to not only us but our neighbours too
“When we bought our house last year we were really pleased with location and all the amenities around us. If this application were to go ahead it would have a detrimental effect on us and the value of our home.”
Rebecca Dennis
In a planning statement, the applicant said steps had been taken to mitigate concerns raised in the original application.
A statement supporting the development said:
“The proposal represents a multi-million-pound investment by a national operator in Lichfield.
“The restaurant is expected to employ more than 120 full and part time staff, which McDonald’s seeks to recruit from the local area.
“An application was refused in January in relation to noise and odour in a residential area, relating around 24 hour opening times. This resubmission includes a reduction of hours to 6am to midnight and additional public consultation has been undertaken to discuss some of the initial concerns highlighted in the previous application.
“An open day was carried out at the Guildhall in May which gave an opportunity for local residents to view and discuss the proposal with the team. There was a good turn out with many of young people interested in the potential for additional jobs and local residents seeking clarification on the impacts on the road network and operation.
“Most visitors left with a greater understanding of the scheme and the details of the design to respect the local residents.”
Planning statement
It’s a not in my back garden scenario, fine saying it’s the wrong location but you’ll just move it to someone’s else’s area where you have no interest. Wall Island is always tidy but you’ll always have litter from any fast food business that’s just a fact of life. We have the stinky chip shop to cope with I’ll swap you any time?
Litter, noise, smell….what about the eyesore design? What about the fact we need no encouragement to eat more rubbish unhealthy food and we already have 2 McDonalds in Lichfield, plus a KFC and lots of independent fast food sellers. How about we block this development on the basis of lack of need / innovation? Why not give the site for much needed affordable housing instead?
Mike@
It is Not McDonalds or other Food Outlets that create the Litter. It is the Consumer that fails to deal with Packages ,Cartons, Cups etc in a responsible manner.
Easy put in Bins provided or Take your Litter Home.
Eg, recently behind Car who opened window and threw obvious complete take away plastic containers plus cans . ..followed by Ash tray contents…
Mc D’s still claiming they’ll provide over 120 jobs despite reduced opening hours on the new application!!! Not wanted
Please continue to block this development I appreciate the comments re the chip shop but they do not attract the same clientèle – chippies aren’t cool
Really disappointed in our Labour councillors here. I think they are not looking at the bigger picture. We have a shiny new Labour government that is going to pay for all this good stuff based on economic growth, and we have two labour councillors blocking, well, economic growth! you couldn’t make it up!
This is a ridiculous application that should be killed off for good this time.
I used to work at the old Co-op head office 20 years ago, even then it was murder getting out of Hermes Road onto Eastern Avenue.
As a resident that lives very close to this location I wholeheartly agree that Eastern Avenue is not the right location for this type of fast food. We already suffer from Boy racers with the popping and banging exhaust day and night and the racing around the Lidl car park with screeming tyres. The smell from this will also cause problems including traffic delays and rubbish thrown from the windows and overflowing bins. If “Townsman” thinks its a case of not in my back yard then locate it closer to him!! This application had my refusal right from the start.
This is the wrong place for a McD’s – traffic chaos, & the 120 min wage jobs is a misprint or mistruth Shenstone has 12!!
What an absolute joke! These people are holding Lichfield back! Just look at Tamworth! They have 2 KFCs and 2 Macdonaldses!
Well, Kevin Warner certainly has his finger on the pulse of what makes a town exciting. Apparently Tamworth has 2 KFCs and 2 – two! – McDonalds. It’s frankly a mystery why anyone would prefer Lichfield over our near neighbour when faced with such an unshakeable argument demonstrating Tamworth’s obvious inherent superiority.
I think with these promises that the chain are making relating to the litter, adjacent neighbours, traffic etc I think this would be brilliant. Agreed we already have to McDonald’s restaurants but they’re both too far away from Eastern Avenue residents meaning constant driving or long waits for deliveries. With this proposal it’s easier for Eastern Avenue residents to access a fast food restaurant without the driving problem and it also kind of makes me wonder why people aren’t complaining about the retail park which creates at least 2 times the noise and chaos that this proposed McDonald’s would