Cowes residents will get the chance to talk to McDonald’s in person later this week as the fast food giant launches the second phase of a public consultation on its plans to deliver a new drive-thru restaurant in the town.
The fast-food giant says the proposal will transform a vacant site on Three Gates Road into a ‘modern employment facility’ and contribute to the Island’s wider economy.
Its economic boost to the area would create around 100 – 120 full and part-time jobs.
The second consultation round, which runs until 23rd October, has come as a petition against the bid this week reached 1,293 signatures. Started by Cowes resident Alexis Hollis, it reads:
“Living in Cowes, we enjoy the semi-rural environment of the residential part of Three Gates Road, where some residents have lived for over 20 years.
“It’s a place where residents can enjoy the simple pleasures of a quiet neighbourhood, where wildlife thrives on the verdant patches of land.
“McDonald’s plans to open a drive-through on our little road, a location that seems entirely out of place for such a development.
“The site they have chosen is not just any plot; it’s opposite a residential area surrounded by nature, a hub of wildlife that will be irrevocably harmed should construction proceed.
Article continues below this advertisement “Imagine the lights, the noise, litter and the constant cars – all these could disrupt the peace of our little community and the ecosystems that call these pockets of land home.”
A spokesperson for McDonald’s has said:
“Thank you to everyone who took part in our initial public consultation in July.
“As part of our commitment to community consultation, we are holding a second round of consultation on our proposals.
“A new McDonald’s restaurant for Cowes will deliver significant job opportunities for local people on a site that is currently vacant.
“I would therefore encourage local people with an interest in the scheme to take part in our further round of public consultation and share any further views about our proposals with us directly.”
Residents can share their views on the new McDonald’s proposal online at www.mcdonaldsconsultation.co.uk/cowes, via a freephone number on 0808 304 2347, by emailing [email protected] or writing to Cavendish Consultation Response, 8-10 Mansion House Place, London, EC4N 8BJ.
As part of the consultation, McDonald’s will host an in-person exhibition from 15:00-19:00 at Cowes Baptist Church on Thursday (16th October 2025).
The very carefully chosen venue for the second consultation has virtually no parking available for people wishing to attend, strange coinsidence.
I’m sure there’s a mistake in the statement from Mc D’s
surely it should have been:
“The fast-food giant says the proposal will … contribute to the Island’s wider waistline.”
Another traffic disaster in the making.