McDonald's in fresh bid for £200k revamp of Halesowen restaurant

Bosses want to create a dual lane drive-thru and overhaul the car park at the site in Bromsgrove Road, Halesowen. But council officers had concerns about the scheme and refused to give the go-ahead for the work. Now the restaurant has resubmitted its proposals for the project which bosses say would reduce waiting times for customers and help to cut noise and congestion.

Around five jobs will be created on top of 15 roles that have opened up by the restaurant recently extending its opening hours.

Planners at Dudley Council had refused their first application after they said the fast food giant failed to provide enough information on how noise levels would decrease and how the new layout would work.

McDonald's today said it had launched a new bid to get approval for the project.

A spokesman said: "The planning officer requested a couple of minor changes; mainly that we conduct a tree survey, and also install an improved acoustic fence.

"We've accepted both these comments, but the proposed scheme otherwise remains the same.

"The dual lane drive-thru, and reconfiguration of the car park represents a significant investment, through which we expect to reduce waiting times, noise and congestion, and create in the region of five jobs in the area."

A planning statement submitted by McDonald's said there would be a car park extension to accommodate the drive-thru layout, which would involve an additional order point for customers to purchase meals.

The plans show that the single lane traffic would split to provide a second lane so that side-by-side order points would be created.

Bosses said the 'side-by-side ordering' would reduce the build up of cars on the site.

Two residents in nearby Grange Road had objected to the original planning application fearing an increase in noise and litter.

One resident, who wrote a letter of objection, said: "The current situation is already noisy from car doors banging, motorbike engines being revved and loud shouting and music."

McDonald's said it had carried out a consultation on the scheme in August. No objections were received by ward councillors.