McDonald's plan for Great Barr Buffet Island site gets mixed reaction
Plans to build a brand new McDonald’s drive-thru less than two miles away from another Birmingham franchise have received a mixed reaction.
The fast food outlet intends to bulldoze and transform the vacant Buffet Island building in Great Barr into a new 24-hour drive-thru and restaurant.
McDonald’s revealed its Great Barr plan back in March while, last week, proposals were officially put forward to Walsall Council with a recommendation from planning officers to approve.
As well as the restaurant itself, the proposed scheme includes 46 car parking spaces, a bike stand for up to 10 cycles, a children’s play area and electric charging points.
McDonald’s said: “The proposals provide the opportunity for McDonald’s to meet a long-standing requirement for a restaurant to serve this catchment area, to meet customer demand and introduce additional choice in the market.
“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 proposed development will provide over 120 jobs for the community.”
Local residents in and around the site between Romney Way, Collingwood Drive and Queslett Road have the remainder of the month to share their views on the McDonald’s proposal to Walsall Council. A decision is expected at the beginning of August.
Local resident Jacqui McKinnion said: “Possibly an unpopular opinion but it will be 1,000 times better than the current Buffet Island eyesore that no one cares about.
“Appreciate I don’t live directly behind or beside it but it’s an embarrassment driving into the estate as it is today. Hoping something positive gets done soon.”
Anthony McDonagh fumed: “Don’t need a processed food litter factory in the local area. There’s one less than five mins away. I’d rather it be knocked down and have homes built there than this eyesore with its cardboard food.”
Tracey Rose said: “No… what a terrible idea with the traffic, kids hanging round and the mess.”
Becky Wood commented: “Better than the state it’s in now; thankfully McDonald’s keeps the immediate area litter free – unlike plenty of the locals. Jobs for some locals… Don’t really see what the problem is, some people do nothing but moan.”
Lezley Martin put: “Anything is better than that eyesore…just my opinion..there’s pluses and negatives as with most things…”
Christine Murray simply added: “Yes yes yes. Love Maccies!”
While Bradley Rice said: “Don’t want the mess and cross-border gangs meeting up there at all hours!”
The Buffet Island building in Great Barr has been vacant since its Covid-affected closure back in 2020. Prior to that, the building operated as the popular Schofields pub.
