Bramley & Stanningley’s ward councillors have said they are ‘disappointed with the decision’ to approve plans for a drive-thru McDonald’s restaurant in Stanningley.
WLD reported yesterday that plans for a new drive thru McDonald’s restaurant off Stanningley Town Street were approved in principle by members of the council’s south and west plans panel.
Around 85 new full and part-time jobs will be created at the restaurant, which will open daily from 6am-11pm.
Local views on the development appeared to be split, with 56 letters in support, and 57 objecting.
Posting their reaction on Facebook, Bramley & Stanningley’s Labour Councillors Tom Hinchcliffe, Adele Rae and Kevin Ritchie reiterated their concerns over the impact on public health.
“We’re disappointed that, following the meeting of the plans panel, the proposed McDonald’s in Stanningley has been approved,” they said.
“As residents may know, all three local councillors objected to this proposal. We believe that the impact on public health, its proximity to local schools and parks, and the impact on traffic will have negative consequences for local residents.
“The plans panel is made up of councillors from across Leeds. As we are the local councillors from the ward that the application is situated in and we do not sit on this plans panel, we do not get a vote, and could only object the same way that local residents can.”
The councillors said they were pleased to achieve some concessions. These included:
- McDonald’s will be made to enforce a localised employment plan to ensure local people are employed at the restaurant.
- Leeds City Council will monitor the amount of litter and the efficacy of the McDonald’s litter picking promises within a 115 metre radius.
- Opening hours will be reduced from 6am until 11pm.
- Improving the public right of way.
- Adding a footpath down the side of the McDonald’s.
They added: “We are disappointed with this decision but will continue to work with local residents to ensure their voice is heard.
“We are seeking a meeting with McDonald’s to discuss employment opportunities for local people and the provisions on traffic management as set out in the planning decision today, as well as to urge them to take steps to prevent antisocial behaviour.
“Finally, we’d like to thank local residents who objected to this proposal alongside us. We were proud to represent your voices today.”
Posting on social media after the decision, south and west plans panel chair Cllr Paul Wray (Lab, Hunslet) said: “Today’s application for a McDonald’s… was quite a difficult one to determine, with complicated arguments for and against the officer recommendation, all being weight against the legal framework set out by national and local planning policy.
“The vote at the end was split, and across party lines, showing that members of the panel, on a finely balanced application, took time to consider their position and come to an individual judgment.”
- Council documents and reports for the application can be read here.
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