Overview
- Councillors on the south and west plans panel approved the Town Street scheme in principle subject to mitigation commitments and planning conditions.
- Conditions cited include a localised employment plan, daily litter picks with a monitored radius, and off‑site works such as a zebra crossing and improved cycle and footpaths.
- McDonald’s says the brownfield project would create about 85 jobs, with trading hours set for 6am to 11pm.
- Public feedback was near evenly split, and ward councillors Kevin Ritchie, Adele Rae and Tom Hinchcliffe opposed it over traffic, air quality, obesity, litter and anti‑social behaviour.
- Planning officers reported minimal highway impact and the panel chair said the vote was split on a finely balanced application.