Town councillors fear a proposed new McDonald’s store at a Wiltshire retail park could worsen existing traffic issues in the area.
McDonald’s has lodged several planning applications for alterations to unit 2A at Hathaway Retail Park in Chippenham, with documents in these plans stating a new restaurant is proposed for the site.
Earlier this year Wiltshire Council approved plans to convert the use of the current Bensons for Beds store to a mixed restaurant and takeaway.
At a meeting of the Chippenham Town Council planning committee, councillors did not object to the applications but raised some concerns about the impact of a new restaurant at the retail park.
In particular, committee members fear the presence of the fast food giant will add to traffic issues at the five-way junction next to Hathaway Retail Park.
Cllr David Poole said: “A quite well know operator that generates a lot of trade, but in that sort of locality when you look at the New Road, Malmesbury Road, Langley Road junction, it’s an absolute shambles with traffic.
“This is only going to add to it and we as councillors would be failing our duty not to highlight the problems this may create.
“It’s not a fault of the operator that’s going to go in there at all, they’re trying to generate business and create something for Chippenham, but it’s going to create more problems for traffic yet again.”
Cllr Hayley Wilson agreed that traffic in the Hathaway area is already “heavy” during peak times.
She added: “You’re going to have a lot more footfall and a lot more cars going in and out of there.
“Something needs to be adjusted with the road system is… you’re going to get more people going in there.”
Councillor Matthew Short also claimed that the new restaurant would “undoubtedly” lead to more litter being left in the area by potential customers.
Councillors subsequently agreed to recommend that McDonald’s contribute in some way to the installation of bins to tackle this problem.
Despite these advisory notes, the council did not object to the plans.
The proposal has received mixed reactions from residents on social media in recent days.
Cllr Short added: “I’ve received a lot of comments from environmental groups… and I’ve also received positive responses, mostly from younger people, saying it’s the best thing that could happen to Hathaway.
“So I think people will be split on the nature of this but undoubtedly it’s a massive change for Hathaway Retail Park.”
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