Third McDonald's to open in Stafford
Fans of fast food chain McDonald’s are set to get a third branch in Stafford – within walking distance of the other two – after plans for a new drive through were given the green light.
Stafford Borough Council granted planning permission for the new two storey restaurant and drive through this month – more than a year after the plans were first submitted by Triple Jersey Ltd.
There is already a McDonald’s branch in Stafford town centre at nearby Greengate Street – and a drive through facility at Eccleshall Road.
And proposals for the new branch have met with a mixed reaction from residents and the local business community.
Jack Taylor, landlord of The Bear in Greengate Street, said: “McDonald’s on Greengate Street is a continual hot spot for anti social behaviour with a community trigger (requirement for an antisocial behaviour case review to take place) being activated due to the nature and severity of the antisocial behaviour, with very little support from the management within McDonald’s.
“I see that building a McDonald’s which will undoubtedly increase antisocial behaviour around that area of Stafford is not only a dangerous move but potentially fatal. As the land lies adjacent to a dual carriageway and with very little protection from the roadway, persons of any age, yet specifically younger people, will cause disruption on the road way including running in front of cars which currently happens in the town centre.
“As a business, opening another fast food restaurant will make life in this industry so much harder. Chains are ran by multi-million pound companies with money to literally throw away.
“As a small business we are always being told the council will support us in any way shape or form, yet building this would deter people away from the town centre into another area, similarly what has happened to the new Waterfront development.”
A Pearl Brook Avenue resident said: “The impact of having a 24 hour facility so close to a residential area will be huge. Anti-social behaviour, litter and traffic which are current substantial issues for the residents stand to increase further.
“If granted this would be the third McDonald’s restaurant and the second 24 hour site within a 1 mile radius. Not only is this not necessary for the town it also raises serious questions about Stafford Borough Council’s social responsibility during what is an obesity epidemic in this country.”
But a Victoria Terrace resident said the new McDonald’s would bring more jobs for the community.
The resident added: “They are a great employer and will create jobs for all people from different backgrounds. I look forward to this proposal being accepted and the building work to commence.”
A Lime Tree Avenue resident said: “I don’t see an issue with a McDonald’s being built in this location. There is ample car parking so as not to effect the St George’s estate, which to be fair is not that close anyway.
“It will bring extra employment into the town and the high street branch is not 24 hour.”
The new restaurant will operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, a council officer’s report said. There will be seating for 152 customers and a play area.
The environmental health officer called for a condition requiring CCTV coverage.
The report added: “The submitted Planning Statement states that McDonald’s is committed to tackling litter and that it is company policy to conduct a minimum of three daily litter patrols. Litter bins are provided outside all restaurants, and packaging carries anti-littering symbols to encourage customers to dispose of litter responsibly.
“Whilst the various neighbour concerns are acknowledged, it is not considered that the proposal will have an unacceptable impact upon neighbouring residential properties and particular in regard to noise. Anti-social behaviour is a police matter and not something that can be dealt with under planning legislation.”
