Chesterfield Borough Council accused of 'unreasonable behaviour' by McDonald's

The fast food chain is making a second attempt to secure planning permission for a new restaurant at West Bars.

It is revealed in planning documents that McDonald’s has accused the council of ‘unreasonable behaviour’ in relation to its initial rejection of the plans in September last year.

Councillors threw out the plans and ignored the advice of their own planning officers who had recommended the restaurant should be approved.

Documents say a ‘planning appeal was lodged with a costs application against the council for unreasonable behaviour’.

“The council has since sought counsel advice on the issues raised and which has separately been reported to planning committee,” it adds.

A McDonald's spokesperson said at the time: "We are very disappointed the council chose not to follow the recommendation from their own planning officers to approve the application."

MORE: McDonald's comments after Chesterfield councillors reject plans for new restaurant and drive-thru

The company said its planned restaurant and drive-thru would create 65 jobs and breathe new life into a piece of land which has not been in use since 2015.

A spokesperson for Chesterfield Borough Council said: “The applicant has submitted an appeal against the first refusal of the planning committee meeting on 24 September 2019.

“The appeal is progressing in line with the standard appeals process. An associated cost claim against the council has been raised as part of this process.

“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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