Fast food outlet risks town's identity - petition

Plans to build a McDonald's drive-thru restaurant on the site of a former police station and magistrates' court have been revealed.

The fast food chain plans to open the new branch on Main Street in Bingley town centre and has submitted a full planning application to Bradford Council.

McDonald's had urged people to have their say on the proposals and said 46.3% of responses were supportive.

However, when the consultation began in May, a petition was set up to try and block the development which has since attracted at least 1,400 signatures.

A decision on the plan - which is expected to create 120 jobs and generate more than £60,000 a year in business rates - is expected in March.

The application includes details of the consultation that was held last year – highlighting the mixed opinions on the plans.

Those in support said the restaurant would add to the town's offerings, and bring a business into an area that has been vacant for years.

Others pointed out the jobs boost for the town, the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) said.

But many others raised concerns over added traffic, the impact on other town centre businesses and argued there would be an increase in litter.

Addressing some of the concerns, the application said: "McDonald's has responded positively to pre-application feedback, ensuring the scheme responds to the local vernacular through use of natural stone, offers a building with a presence on Main Street, and incorporates a comprehensive landscape scheme which will soften the appearance of the development, enhance the wider town centre environment – and deliver on-site biodiversity net gain."

The document went on to state: "The proposed development will bring a vacant town centre site into active use and will result in a series of economic benefits for Bingley."

However, the petition against the plans said the new restaurant would "undermine the unique character and identity of our town".

It added: "Bingley's proud identity lies in its traditional charm and vibrant local businesses, not in homogenised chains that can be found in any city across the globe, and increasingly our rural towns.

"The Golden Arches amidst the vista of rolling wooded hills and historic mill chimneys would threaten the loss of another town's unique identity and speak only of growing bland ubiquity."

The petition suggests the site could be used as a community garden, where young people could learn how to grow food.

So far, the planning application has attracted 49 objections and 32 letters of support.

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