New Black Country McDonald's drive-thru set for decision
The 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.
A decision over whether McDonald’s can open a new drive-thru in Cradley Heath will be made by councillors next week.
The 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.
The planning committee meets on September 16 to make a decision having delayed a decision in July over traffic concerns.
The authority’s planning officers are again recommending the work should be approved.
Sandwell Council’s planning committee met on July 29 to make a decision but deferred voting to visit the site after concerns were raised about parking and congestion.
A total of 54 objections were made against the plans and a 92-signature petition was also submitted opposing the new McDonald’s and 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.
The objections said the new drive-thru restaurant would create more noise, traffic and litter as well as create 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.
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.
“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.”
You can find out more about planning applications and planned roadworks where you live by visiting publicnoticeportal.uk/express-and-star
Comment Guidelines
Iconic Media encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.