Angry residents hit out at plans to build McDonalds in Warwick - The Leamington Observer

Angry residents hit out at plans to build McDonalds in Warwick

Leamington Editorial 29th Aug, 2018 Updated: 29th Aug, 2018   0

ANGRY residents have hit out at plans to build a McDonald’s restaurant in Warwick.

The fast food giant has applied to Warwick District Council to build a two storey restaurant and take away on Tesco car park off Emscote Road.

And it is not the first time – around a year ago the chain withdrew an application to develop the same land after it said it needed time to get more information.

But now the plans have been re-submitted, and they have been objected to by some 150 angry residents who say it would cause an increase in litter, noise, traffic and air pollution in the area along with promoting an unhealthy lifestyle.




Curtis Oliver-Smith has helped spearhead a campaign against the development.

He said: “Everyone knows litter is always an issue with any fast food outlet and some argue that it is not the fault of the company, but the customers.


“Regardless of this, with the canal next to the proposed building, litter is litter and it has the potential to pollute the canal and damage wildlife, making the proposed location wrong. With the topic of plastics in our waters so predominate, do we really want to increase that problem so locally?”

His concerns were echoed by coun John Holland who is also worried about the amount of added traffic the chain would bring to the area.

He said: “There is particular concern about Emscote Road where the volume of traffic is already above acceptable levels. No further increase can be allowed.

“The junction of Emscote Road and Tesco is defective. At the time it was built there was a County Highways objection which was taken through the High Court. Any development now should lead to a major reconstruction of the junction.”

But McDonalds says the restaurant would bring many benefits to the area.

A spokesman said: “The site represents an appropriate location for a drive-thru restaurant, which will be well placed to offer refreshments to passing customers and those in the surrounding area.

“The proposed development will provide over 65 jobs for the community.”

Residents have until Tuesday (September 4) to give feedback on the plans. Click here to view.

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