Hotspot for yobs or 'good for jobs'? We asked residents about McDonald's plans for Buffet Island
People living near a once-popular buffet restaurant that could be turned into a McDonald's under new plans fear the area will be turned into a yob hotspot.
The fast food giant announced plans to transform the vacant Buffet Island site on Queslett Road, Great Barr, into a drive-through restaurant.
The designs, which are to be discussed by the Walsall Council planning committee, have been met with heavy opposition by residents near the address, with the plans already receiving 110 individual objections.
Now, residents of the area have expressed their concerns for the safety of their neighbourhood, fearing that the proposed restaurant will bring a rise in antisocial behaviour.
Dylan Morris, 45, of Queslett Road, said the area could become a hotspot for yobs.
"It's a ridiculous idea. We understand that there has to be something there. It's been vacant for ages. But McDonald's is the wrong choice.
"You see them all around the place and they just bring a lot of antisocial behaviour. It's going to be terrible living next to it."
Residents who live opposite the address said the popularity of McDonald's would also bring a 'ridiculous' amount of traffic to the area.
Tracey Daniels, 52, who has lived in the area for 10 years, said: "This is a main road. It's already as busy as it is. If there was a McDonald's on the island it would bring a ridiculous amount of traffic to the area.
"I think it should be used as something else. But it definitely shouldn't be another McDonald's."
Many residents are opposed to the idea of the fast food chain developing a drive-through on the site. Some younger residents said they thought it is a great idea.
David Webb, 18, of Queslett Road, said: "I wouldn't mind it being a McDonald's, no. I think the closest one at the moment is College Road or something. So it would be a lot closer.
"It would be good for the jobs as well, I heard it was around 100 jobs it would bring to the area, which obviously younger people would go crazy for. It's a good idea."
The site operated as a Chinese restaurant for around 15 years before closing in 2020, prior to that the building was a pub that operated under the name The Schofield and later The Trees.
Walsall Council's planning committee is set to discuss the application on Thursday, June 20.
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