Controversial new drive-thru approved

Controversial plans to open a new McDonald’s drive-thru in Cradley Heath have been approved by councillors.

Fast food giant McDonald’s had its plans to demolish the Cradley Kawasaki showroom and workshop in St Anne’s Road, Cradley Heath, for a new restaurant and drive-thru approved by Sandwell Council’s planning committee on Wednesday (September 16).

A total of 54 objections were made against the plans and petitions with 750 signatures were handed to Sandwell Council over fears the new McDonald’s would cause “chaos” on nearby ‘rat runs’ around the congested Foxoak Street as well as create more noise, litter and anti-social behaviour.

Councillors delayed voting on the proposal in July over traffic concerns and agreed to visit the site before making a decision.

On Wednesday, Cllr Connor Horton said he was concerned St Anne’s Road would be “carnage” if traffic backed up during busy times. 

Cllr Tim Hordley proposed approving the work on the condition the drive-thru would be reduced to one lane and moved away as far as possible from nearby homes to reduce noise. 

McDonald’s representatives were unwilling to budge over the proposed layout and said the committee would need to provide “compelling” evidence to reject the entire scheme over a minor detail. 

The work was eventually approved with the caveat that proposals for a yellow box junction to be added at the new drive-thru’s entrance and added acoustic fencing.

The proposed opening hours would be 6am to 11pm having been reduced from midnight in the original proposals.

McDonald’s said the new drive-thru would create 70 full-time jobs.

The plans also include a waiting area for delivery drivers and a 30-space car park.

The authority’s planning officers had recommended approving the work ahead of the meeting.

Sandwell Council’s planning committee had already met on July 29 to make a decision but deferred voting to visit the site after concerns were raised about parking and congestion. 

In a report, the council’s planners said: “The site is allocated for residential development within the current adopted development plan … and the proposals would conflict with […] policy. 

“However, the proposal overcomes all other material considerations, and its harm would be limited by its restricted opening hours. 

“The economic investment and job creation outweighs the policy contraventions and the development is acceptable subject to suitably worded conditions.”

The planning application said the lack of progress in building homes since 2012 was “symptomatic of the site’s lack of viability for such a use” and was no longer deemed financially viable. 

“It is important to note that sustained efforts have been made by the vendor to bring the site forward for residential development in line with the adopted allocation,” a statement included with the application said.  

“The site has been actively marketed for a residential use for in excess of 12 months, however, no meaningful interest has been received.”

The application was approved by seven votes to two.