McDonalds Further Public Meeting

A public meeting to discuss the fifth planning application from McDonalds for a fast food take-away at Tingley will be held on Tuesday November 10th at 7.30pm at Tingley Working Men’s Club. The meeting, which will discuss the controversial move from McDonalds, will also receive a briefing about a Public Inquiry scheduled for next March which will look into a previously refused application at the same site.

My colleague local Town Councillor Wyn Kidger – who represents the area, says “We are having to gear up again to battle with McDonalds for a fifth time. Their proposal for a McDonalds on the site of the White Bear pub has been refused four times before with a Planning Inspector also refusing a further appeal. We are again asking people to object to the new application.”

A previous application was refused by a Planning Inspector because of the impact the fast food drive through take-away would have on residential amenity. Following their fourth refused application, McDonalds appealed and the matter will be considered at a Full Public Inquiry in March 2016. Local residents will be represented at the Inquiry by MBI Councillors who have been granted Rule 6 Party status which allows them to cross examine witnesses supporting McDonalds case.

My colleague Cllr Judith Elliott comments “We need residents to continue to back the campaign to prevent this McDonalds take-away in a residential area. There are many other locations where this development could take place – such as Morley Town Centre. Placing it in a residential area impacts on residents. The proposal brings additional traffic problems, litter and noise which are not appropriate for a residential location.”