A multi-million-pound McDonald’s scheme in Cowes is up for a decision next week – but Isle of Wight planners aren’t ‘Lovin’ it’.
The proposal for a new restaurant with a drive-thru off Three Gates Road in Cowes fails to show how it would prevent ill-health in the community, according to a planning committee report.
However, new McDonald’s restaurants are going ahead in Lake and at the new Newport Retail Park, and existing restaurants have been in operation for years in Ryde and Newport town centre.
The Cowes application, which includes car parking, landscaping and customer order displays, has been recommended for refusal based on the site being within walking distance of a school and other facilities where children may gather.
Officers have also cited an ‘adverse’ impact on the character and appearance of the area, insufficient information on ecology and biodiversity net gain, and the lack of a legal agreement to secure a contribution towards Rights of Way.
McDonald’s agent, Planware, previously said the proposals would allow McDonald’s to ‘meet customer demand’ and introduce extra market choice.
The fast-food giant’s agent said 120 jobs for the community will be provided if the development is approved.
County Hall has received 186 representations from members of the public objecting to the plans and 138 letters in support.
There have also been several petitions opposing the McDonald’s, with one signed by 361 people, another with 1,788 digital signatures and a further appeal signed by 141 individuals.
Arguments in favour of the scheme include job creation, greater choice of convenience food, the restaurant being cheap for families on low income, business rates revenue and the project’s ‘sustainable design’.
Increased noise and disturbance, health concerns over fast food, harm to habitats and wildlife, light pollution, anti-social behaviour, odour, late-night activity, litter, and jobs being part-time and low paid are among points raised by critics.
The committee report says:
“Due to the location and based on the information provided with the application, the proposal has failed to demonstrate that the use would enable and support healthy lives or promote good health and prevent ill-health.
“It would also fail to reduce health inequalities between the most and least deprived communities, including access to healthier food.
“The proposed 2.4m-high close boarded fence boundary treatment along the northern boundary and cramped appearance of the site would result in a detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area and street scene.”
Planners also said the proposal is lacking information to adequately show there are no suitable, available or viable sites which could accommodate the development within or on the edge of the town centre.
Councillors on the planning committee will consider application 25/0134/FUL on 28th July.
Not wanted on the proposed site, as said above within easy walking distance of the school, right opposite residential houses with added traffic and associated noise etc well into the late evening and on a long bend in the road restricting view for when exiting the site. Maybe a bit of common sense from the IOW Planners
Unless some backhanders come their way..but no would be a dreadful place to build it go to aldi buy produce go home cook …it’s not hard and better for you.
It’s an Industrial Area! The Nimbys can’t have it All Their Own Way.
Good would be a dreadful place to put mac crap food rubbish everywhere, burnouts, noise for locals car crashes it would all happen ..more fat fatties.
If McDonald’s takes it to appeal with millions behind them, the council will have no say.