Decision on whether new McDonald's drive-thru in former West Midlands bike showroom can go ahead is delayed

A decision over whether to open a new McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant in Cradley Heath has been delayed over traffic concerns.

Fast food giant McDonald’s wants to demolish the Cradley Kawasaki showroom and workshop in St Anne’s Road, Cradley Heath, for a new restaurant and drive-thru.

Sandwell Council’s planning committee met on July 29 to make a decision but deferred voting to first visit the site after concerns were raised about parking and congestion.

A total of 54 objections were ldoged against the plans and a 92-signature petition was also submitted opposing the new McDonald’s; objectors attending the meeting said another petition with more than 650 signatures had also been collected.

The objectors said the McDonald’s would cause “chaos” on nearby ‘rat run’ roads around the congested Foxoak Street and would create more noise, traffic and litter as well as anti-social behaviour problems.

The council’s planners also received 19 responses supporting the drive-thru saying it would create jobs and regenerate the area.

The council’s planning officers had recommended the work should be approved.

McDonald’s said the new drive-thru would create 70 full-time jobs. The proposed opening hours are 6am to midnight.

The plans also include a waiting area for delivery drivers and a 30-space car park.

In a report outlining the recommendation, the council’s planners said: “The site is allocated for residential development within the current adopted development plan and the proposals would conflict with […] policy.

“This would prevent the site coming forward for residential use, to the detriment of meeting identified needs, and exacerbating a shortfall.

“Furthermore, the proposal is contrary to emerging policy provision, which designates the site for employment use, and would exacerbate an identified shortfall of employment land.

“However, the proposal overcomes all other material considerations, and its harm would be limited by its restricted opening hours.

“The economic investment and job creation outweighs the policy contraventions noted above and the development is acceptable subject to suitably worded conditions.”

The planning application said the lack of progress in building homes since 2012 was “symptomatic of the site’s lack of viability for such a use” and was no longer deemed financially viable.

“It is important to note that sustained efforts have been made by the vendor to bring the site forward for residential development in line with the adopted allocation,” a statement included with the application said.

“The site has been actively marketed for a residential use for in excess of 12 months, however, no meaningful interest has been received.”