McDonald's drive through approved for M5 services

A motorway services in Worcestershire is to have a new McDonald's drive through.

The southbound Strensham services, near junction 8 of the M5, will have a drive through lane at the side of the existing building.

It is hoped the development will bring an additional 40 jobs to the site – 16 full-time employees and 24 part-time.

Parts of the car park will be reconfigured and an extension to the fast food restaurant will be built, planning papers said.

Documents said two new drive through windows were proposed on the southern elevation of the amenity building.

"Importantly, the operation will be strictly controlled and allow cars to order meals, and then approach the collection point and obtain the correct order," plans said.

Officers at Wychavon District Council, which approved the application, said: "The works are fairly minor in the overall context of the site and include a small extension to the much larger main amenity building.

"In addition, the works are positioned well within the limits of the site, which is well screened by mature planting and will have no significant impact on the wider landscape.

"The works are commercial in nature and in that respect complement the character of the immediate surroundings within an established motorway services area."

Strensham Parish Council raised concerns about increased litter and suggested vehicle registrations were shown on packaging.

National Highways had concerns over how queuing traffic would be managed at busy times, and a lack of litter bins.

Planning documents suggest 16 new bins will be placed around the site.

A total of 83 parking spaces will be displaced, with 50 relocated elsewhere.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, which covers councils and other public service organisations.

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