Opposition has rallied to a multi-million-pound McDonald’s scheme in Cowes, with one objector labelling the proposal a ‘monstrosity’.
Both Cowes and Northwood local councils have joined a backlash to readvertised plans for a restaurant and takeaway, including a 24-hour drive-thru lane, car park, landscaping and customer order displays next to Three Gates Road in Cowes.
Criticisms of the proposal include concern around the application’s effect on the future viability of Cowes High Street and hospitality businesses, an alleged threat of rat infestation, inadequate ecology mitigation and scepticism towards job creation.
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.
Opposing what he described as a ‘proposed monstrosity’, member of the public Barry Byham said, however much the applicant tries to justify it, the reality would be ‘unacceptable smells, noise, litter’.
A spokesperson for Northwood Parish Council told County Hall the development would be out of character with the current street scene and outlook of locally listed buildings.
Issues the public body raised included ‘unreasonable light pollution’, a risk of anti-social behaviour and increased traffic.
The council said:
“The rural siting of this application, near a school and serving a ward that is classed as being of high deprivation with reduced life expectancy linked to diet, goes against planning policy, public health, the well-being Strategy, and Cowes and Northwood Place Plan.”
Arguments made by the application’s supporters include ‘much-needed’ employment opportunities for all ages, the restaurant offering a convenient and affordable food option for residents, and the potential for concerns around traffic, noise and litter to be managed through planning conditions.
Planware’s previously submitted Supporting Statement said:
“The proposed development represents a multi-million-pound investment creating jobs both during the construction and operation phases, resulting in many associated economic benefits for the local area.
“The site represents an appropriate location for a drive-thru restaurant, which will be well placed to offer refreshments to passing customers and those in the surrounding area.
“We have demonstrated throughout the application documentation how the scheme is considered sustainable development environmentally, socially and economically.”
There is an obesity epidemic on the Island and McDonalds are a large part of the problem. Forgetting the unsuitable location, 24 hour junk food is not good for the wellbeing of Islanders
a company wants to set up shop and create jobs and generate revenue, yet the council are trying to stop it – they arent so quick to stop illegals being housed here at taxpayer expense or hosing down freeloaders with benefit money though are they
Perhaps just have a series of ” corner shops” where the locals can by illegal cigarettes, vapes and the odd ” livener” for the weekend?
Maybe McDonalds is a better option?
No.
Seems as though clutching at straws to ban them. Not up market enough for Cowes. They didn’t get to be world leaders by distributing bad food, breeding rats, and destroying neighbourhoods. So they are not for ever. If they are genuinely not wanted they won’t get the support required to stay. They will have researched and found a need. All their food is not unhealthy. Most restaurant food is not very healthy as calories are used to make food taste nice. Give them a go.
Forget it, a multi billion dollar organisation will build where they want.
More junk food to encourage obesity and more benefit claimants
in the future.
More litter on the roads too.
You would be much better if you (instead) allowed a Jersey Mike’s or Raising Canes to build on the spot. Who among us REALLY needs another McDonald’s? They are not even listed in the top 15 “fast food” establishments in USA.
It cannot surly be described as a “restaurant”. The food produced is not prepared locally by “chefs” but is brought across from the mainland, prepared in some large industrial food prep facility which is distributing all around the country, Then, locally, the “trained” employees have to follow a strict set of instructions with no variation for each set meal to prepare them for customers. It is all supplied on an industrial scale, is able to be sold cheap. sadly, it is “WE” the public that promote this situation because we are always looking for the cheapest deal and in the long run we lower the quality of everything around us and small individual businesses drop out of the market. We are all doomed. Go to a decent restaurant today.
‘out of character with the current street scene’ Would that be the supermarket, car showrooms and industrial estate? I am not really one to comment as I have never has a Mcdonalds meal. But If the town and parish busybodies are so against it they should come up with better arguments. Too near a school, there are burger vans nearer, Light pollution, There are thousands of houses and premises nearby. Noise and litter, the police are not against it, I bet they are looking forwards to booking all the stoners driving up there with the munchies.
Extended date for decision 31st July, if its not done by then, you can forget August.