The restaurant has been approved despite claims it would be ‘overkill’
Plans for a 24-hour drive-thru McDonald’s next to a dual carriageway have been approved a second time despite traffic fears and claims it would be “overkill.”
Plans for the new restaurant at the A2 London-bound Gate Services at Dunkirk, between Faversham and Canterbury, were originally approved by Swale Borough Council (SBC) in May this year.
However, on the day of the decision, a late objection from a highways consultant was received, claiming the development would lead to significantly increased traffic.
As such, SBC’s planning committee had to meet again this Thursday (December 4) to decide again.
Speaking on behalf of McDonald’s, acquisitions surveyor Andy Tobin said: “Additional clarification has been provided where necessary to address the concerns raised by a third party.
“The application would help redevelop an existing brownfield site, enhancing the existing service area, creating over 100 new jobs across a range of full and part-time roles.
“This application would deliver significant benefits, supporting the local economy and providing additional amenities for users along the A2.”
The former Travelodge, which occupied the site, has already been demolished, and SBC officers were recommending that the plans be approved again.
However, Boughton resident and parish councillor Sarah Moakes attended to object, saying: “There is already a drive-thru Costa Coffee in operation, having a McDonald’s as well is complete overkill on this small, poorly accessed site.
“This is a fast food multinational which will take jobs away from local eateries,” she added.
“The jobs it provides are low-skilled minimum-wage ‘McJobs’ with a generous side order of ‘McHarassment’.
“Their typical clientele will think nothing of getting in the car and making a 20 km round trip to procure a happy meal, any hour of the day or night.
“McDonald’s are well known for being magnets for antisocial behaviour.”
Additional traffic was a repeat concern of members, with Cllr Alastair Gould (Green) saying: “It will be easier for a large number of people in the southern and western half of Canterbury to get to this restaurant than it would be to get to Sturry.”
Cllr Monique Bonney (Swale Ind) objected to the design of the building, saying: “It looks like an industrial shed, it doesn’t sit well in that landscape with a big yellow ‘M’ on it.”
She also proposed a condition requiring HGV parking, but an officer responded: “National Highways are well aware of this being next to the strategic road network and have assessed the scheme multiple times now and have come back every time and said they don’t have an objection.”
However, many councillors had no issue with it, with Cllr Tony Winckless (Lab), saying: “To build a McDonald’s there and create some employment would be an improvement to the site.”
“It’s what people want – they want to go to Faversham, play football on a plastic football pitch, jump in their car, drive down and get a burger without getting out of the car,” added Cllr James Hunt (Con).
The committee voted to approve the plans with six votes in favour, four against, and two abstentions.
