Controversial Buffet Island McDonald’s plan kicked out after more than 100 objections
Councillors have refused a bid for a new McDonald’s that was set to be erected on the former Buffet Island site in Great Barr.
The application was called in to be discussed at a Walsall Council planning committee by Councillor Adrian Andrew on the grounds of significant public interest, after it received 113 objections.
In the planning meeting on Thursday, councillors refused the application for the Great Barr venue, citing a number of concerns which became clear to them as they discussed the proposal.
Councillors - and the applicant - spent 90 minutes arguing putting arguments for and against, finished off with a back-and-forth debate until a motion was put forward to reject the application, despite planning officers recommending members grant approval for the development.
It came down to a few issues put forward by councillors, such as the feeling that the application failed the sequential test, it potentially having a detrimental impact to amenities of local residents, children’s health, concerns for road safety and congestion.
