UPDATED 3/6/19 We understand from councillors McDonalds have withdrawn their application, so it won't be on the agenda for Tuesday’s Planning Panel. It's not confirmed if they will put in an amended application later.

Objectors want to show the “extent of public feeling” against plans from McDonald's for a “fast food restaurant with drive thru” at the former Field & Trek store on Hawkeswood Road, Bitterne Manor, before a council planning panel meeting on Tuesday (June 4).

 

The plan is for it to open 6am-midnight, seven days a week.

From 196 public comments listed on the council’s planning portal, 191 are objections.

Protesters say in publicity they “now need to make our voices heard to those on the panel who will make the decision”.

They intend to assemble on the Civic Centre steps before the meeting from 5pm, and say they want to “break the record for the highest number of members of public at a planning meeting”.

Objecting to the application, consultee Cllr Rob Harwood (Con, Bitterne Park), claimed: “A drive through fast food restaurant will attract both vehicle and pedestrian based antisocial behaviour, making life unbearable for residents and diverting police resources from other priorities.”

He added that similar applications for residential areas, in Bitterne and Woolston, have previously been turned down, and that the development will “dramatically increase the amount of vehicle movements”.

He also cited air pollution, litter, and parking as other issues.

Other Bitterne Park ward councillors have also objected, with Cllr Fuller (Con) requesting the application “comes before the planning panel due to the impact on traffic and local residents”.

The recommendation summary from officers to the planning panel is refusal.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, McDonald’s said they believed the scheme “would bring significant investment to the local community, as well as creating at least 65 new jobs”. McDonald's were approached for further comment.