CHRISTCHURCH is set for a second McDonald’s restaurant after plans for the global food brand to take over a Pizza Hut site were approved.
The fast-food giant will add a restaurant to the town at the retail park off Barrack Road after the closure of a Pizza Hut in November and promises to create at least 65 jobs for “local people”.
As reported, St James Place Trust, which has owned Christchurch Retail Park since 2007, tabled a planning application to BCP Council for the premises.
The burger chain will now be able to demolish the existing unit and replace it with a new outlet and a drive thru.
A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “We are delighted our application for a new drive thru restaurant in Christchurch has been approved. The new restaurant will bring significant investment to the area and create at least 65 jobs for local people.
“We are proud of the positive role we play in the communities we serve and we are looking forward to opening this restaurant.”
The entrance to the unit will face the car park and retail terrace, while the drive-through lane will sit on the opposite side on the Bailey Drive elevation.
The development will require the reconfiguration of the car park and result in the loss of 26 car parking spaces.
It is understood the restaurant would be open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A public consultation on the application, however, was met with 94 objections from residents and just three comments in support.
BCP Council Commons ward councillor Vanessa Ricketts was among the dissenting voices.
In her submission, Cllr Ricketts said: “I wish to object to this application following emails I have received from concerned residents within my ward.
“Not only is the associated litter and additional traffic movements of concern on this already busy roundabout, but the location of this fast food outlet so close to two Christchurch schools seems to fly in the face of the Health and Social Care Act 2012 which states that Local Authorities should embed public health functions into all their activities.
“Surely we should be promoting healthy eating habits for our children, not walking them past fast food outlets on the way home from school.”
Writing in support of the plans was resident Linda Cassidy, who said: “McDonald's at Bailey Bridge would go some way to alleviate the congestion at McDonald's [in] Somerford Road. They bring employment into the area, especially for the young. I think it would be an asset and be popular with residents that side of Christchurch.”
McDonald’s has said an opening date is not yet known.
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