Anger and abuse as McDonald’s gets go-ahead
A NEW McDonald’s is set to open in Cheadle Hulme – despite fears for the safety of children at a nearby school.
A drive-thru is not included as part of the application for land to the north of Stanley Green Retail Park.
Councillors voted on Thursday to approve the plan for the new fast food restaurant next to the roundabout at the junction of Stanley Road and the WilmslowHandforth Bypass A34.
It led to angry scenes in the committee room at Stockport Town Hall, with some members of the public shouting verbal abuse towards elected members and council staff on the way out of the room.
The planned
McDonald’s site is based 317 metres away from St James’ Catholic High School. Concerns were raised that students may be at risk while trying to cross the roads when trying to visit the restaurant.
Coun Rosemary Barratt said she was concerned the new restaurant is “significantly close” to the school and young people could be at risk.
During a site visit to the area, it was shared that there are around 52,000 cars a day using the roundabout next to the planned site, which the highways engineer said is “not far off motorway levels.”
Coun Barratt added: “You’re looking at highway safety for the pupils of that school who will no doubt be attracted to a restaurant on the other side and are not necessarily are going to look for the safest route across that road.”
Members of the public submitted 147 letters of objection to the plan. This included worries about the safety of the children, an increase in traffic and potential accidents in the area because of the restaurant and the risk of the car park at the site being used for gatherings and leading to a rise in anti-social behaviour.
Planning documents said Greater Manchester Police supported the application. Stockport council’s public health department highlighted in the planning report that the new McDonald’s would have a “detrimental impact on health locally” and would impede the town hall’s work in encouraging healthier lifestyles.
Many of the concerns shared were considered to be non-material – meaning they couldn’t be taken into consideration by councillors when making their decision.
Coun Becky Senior said: “While I understand the public health concerns are not material, I think they should factor in to the longer term views of the council when considering such applications in the future.
“It will have that impact on public health from additional car journeys and increased pollution, or on the menu choices of those young people.
“I do have a concern about displacement form local providers in the area as well in terms of the name and brand and advertising capability of McDonald’s.
“This is not an application that sits comfortable with me.”
Eight members of Stockport’s planning committee voted in favour of approving the application.