McDonalds plan set to get go-ahead
PLANS to build a 24 hour McDonalds in the Valley look set to get the go ahead.
Proposals to build a single storey restaurant with a drive through at the bottom of Haslingden Road in Rawtenstall have been recommended for approval by officers. The plans are set to go before a meeting of Rossendale Council’s planning committee on Tuesday, July 19.
The site was previously occupied by Accrington and Rossendale College but the buildings have since been demolished.
In the report which is due to go before the committee, it states the opening of the fast food chain will create 65 jobs.
The report stated: “An outdoor patio is proposed which will contain seating and outdoor play area. Following negotiations between planning officers and the applicant’s agent, the building is now proposed in natural stone.
“The applicant proposes 24 hour opening, seven days per week.”
No objections were received from statutory consultees, however Rossendale Civic Trust said they believed the application would benefit from ‘more imaginative design time to produce a building whose roof profile and colour could contribute more positively to local identity and heritage.’
More than 30 letters of objection have been received by the council.
Objections to the proposed plans highlight factors such as litter, additional traffic congestion, illuminated signs not fitting within the conservation area and detrimental effects on environment and local community. Others argued there is no demand for 24 hour opening’ and a lack of need for a fast food restaurant.
Rossendale planning officers have recommended the application for approval.
The report stated: “The proposed development will bring back into use a large, vacant and previously developed site which occupies a prominent position at a gateway location within the Urban Boundary of Rawtenstall.
“The site lies adjacent to the Rawtenstall Town Centre conservation area.
“The proposed development is acceptable in principle and, subject to the use of planning conditions, is acceptable with regards to design, residential amenity, highway safety, landscaping and flood risk.”