McDonald’s allowed to open new restaurant in Chesterfield

The restaurant and drive-thru will be built at the site of the former multi-storey car park on West Bars, which has lain derelict for five years.

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The development is expected to create 65 jobs.

Members of Chesterfield Borough Council’s planning committee granted conditional permission for the proposals during a virtual meeting on Monday.

A report by planning officers which was considered by councillors during the meeting said: “The development is considered appropriately sited, scaled and designed such that they do not present any adverse impacts upon the amenity, character or appearance of the surrounding area.”

The plans attracted some criticism – including from Chesterfield Civic Society which voiced fears over a rise in litter and obesity.

Chesterfield Cycle Campaign also raised concerns that cyclists would have to negotiate the ‘dangerous’ West Bars roundabout in order to get to the site.

The Derbyshire Times has asked McDonald’s when its new restaurant and drive-thru will open in the town and is awaiting a response from the company.

In September last year, councillors went against the advice of their own planning officers and rejected McDonald’s proposals.

McDonald’s accused the council of ‘unreasonable behaviour’ in relation to that rejection – and submitted an appeal against the refusal as well as a claim for costs against the authority.

A council spokesperson said: “The appeal and the decision around if costs should be awarded or not will be made by the planning inspector in due course.”

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