Anger as block on Mcdonald’s is overturned after appeal
COUNCILLOR BRANDS DECISION AS ‘OUTRAGEOUS’ AND A ‘DISGRACE’
A COUNCILLOR has branded plans for a new Mcdonald’s as a “disgrace” after plans were approved that were initially refused.
The new fast-food outlet will be built within the car park of the Asda supermarket, in Forest Town, after the Planning Inspectorate gave it the green light.
The plans were refused by Mansfield District Council in 2019 over concerns about obesity levels and the site’s close proximity to several schools.
However, following an appeal by Mcdonald’s, the council’s refusal was overturned at the start of this year.
Progress is being made on the development after more plans were lodged and subsequently approved by the council.
It is unclear at this stage when the outlet will be complete.
But a councillor in the area who led the charge to get the development rejected two years ago has now spoken out, relaying his fears about the impact of the fast-food outlet.
The two-storey drive-through branch will be in the Asda car park and across the road from a retail park, which already boasts a KFC, a Subway, a Costa Coffee and a pub.
Further plans lodged last year would see a Taco Bell built next to the KFC outlet.
Councillor Mick Barton, who represents the area for the Mansfield Independents, says he has fears about obesity levels and “pester power” from children increasingf health problems.
He adds that there are also traffic problems on a nearby roundabout and a separate small roundabout, as well as citing the site’s proximity to schools.
He told the Post: “It’s outrageous that it’s been overturned after the planning committee turned it down.
“It will have a shocking impact on the area.
“We have four schools all within 300 to
500 metres from the proposed site .
“There isn’t enough parking at peak times now in Asda. It will be terrible once all the traffic starts heading there.
“Both the roundabouts have regular accidents now, and the proposal will make it much, much worse. Other councils like ours turned it down on the main reason I have given.
“Obesity is a very bad problem in this area. If people want this sort of thing it should be out of town like most of the others. Also, we are saturated with fastfood restaurants.
“I feel for every resident who lives in the surrounding area. It will be as bad as Nottingham Road regarding traffic. It’s a disgrace.”
The two-storey restaurant was initially recommended for approval by Mansfield District Council in 2019.
However, after the publication of the Healthy Mansfield report, the planning committee took the decision to refuse the application following a 300-strong petition organised by Councillor Barton.
In its remarks when overturning the decision, however, the planning inspectorate dismissed concerns about health and obesity.
Darren Hendley, the planning inspector, said: “The site is located a fairly short distance from the local primary school and the council has indicated that the proposal would be within a 400m radius of it.
“There are also other primary schools in the wider area. Whilst I can understand the concerns that have been expressed, primary schools are not included within the exclusion zones.
“This approach is understandable because there would be some expectation that children of a primary school age would be accompanied by a parent or guardian who would be reasonably expected to have a child’s health in mind when selecting meal choices. I conclude that the proposal would not have an unacceptable effect on public health, in particular that of children and food consumption.”
It’s shocking that it’s been overturned. It will have a terrible impact on the area
Councillor Mick Barton