By John Baron
A new McDonald’s drive thru restaurant could be built in Stanningley after plans were submitted to Leeds City Council.
Bosses at the fast food chain want to build the restaurant on the site which was once home to the North Sea Chinese Restaurant and the Old Roundabout public house, off Town Street in Stanningley.
Around 70 new full and part-time jobs could be created.
A new access road from Town Street will be created to service the development.
A patio area with outdoor dining space is proposed to the eastern side of the restaurant. Litter bins would be provided in the patio area and within the 32-space car park.
A planning statement submitted with the application states: “The proposed McDonald’s restaurant would provide a new local restaurant for the residents of Stanningley Bottom as well as bringing a prominent vacant and previously developed site back into active use.
“McDonald’s is a strong advocate of sustainability, with almost all restaurants powered by 100% renewable energy, and 80% of their packaging is recyclable. As a result, the proposal would deliver social, economic, and environmental benefits to the local area.”
The site forms part of a wider industrial site that was last in use as metal recycling facility known as Infinity Metals.
Operations ceased around 2023, and the site has been derelict and unused since then, although plans for 40 houses were last month approved in principle on part of the site.
McDonald’s held a public consultation into the proposals last December. Road safety concerns were discussed and the proposed opening hours have since been reduced, from 24-7 to 6am-midnight.
McDonald’s had also considered other sites for a restaurant in Pudsey, Farsley, Stanningley and Bramley before settling on the Infinity Metals site.
The plans and documentation can be viewed in full here and commented upon.
Update: This article was amended on Friday, 7 March to clarify the reduced opening hours.