By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter
Plans for a new McDonalds and Starbucks on a rural Nottinghamshire road would only help to “saturate the countryside” with fast food chains, some residents say.
The application submitted this week to Newark and Sherwood District Council would see the demolition of the Winner City Cantonese restaurant on Old Rufford Road, near Farnsfield.
Some locals say the presence of exisiting McDonalds outlets at nearby Ollerton and Rainworth mean more are unnecessary.
Others are concerned about whether extra traffic would make the nearby roundabout with Mansfield Road more dangerous.
Plans for the drive-thru restaurants have been submitted by Burney Estates.
The developer claims it would significantly improve a site while creating 40 jobs.
Around 20 objections have already been submitted to Newark & Sherwood District Council’s website in the 24 hours since plans were published.
Jade Hooper wrote: “There are plenty of local, sustainable businesses in Farnsfield providing coffee and food, and adding two global corporations nearby would detract business from them.
“The nearest coffee and McDonald’s chains are less than ten minutes’ drive from here, why do we need more?”
Serena Bannister raised concerns about the impact on the roads, saying: “This is a busy and dangerous roundabout – fast food businesses will only serve to make it more dangerous and increase the risk of accidents.
“This is over-saturating the countryside with more plastic, food waste and rubbish.”
Jordan Pain said: “This development would bring more excessive traffic and noise pollution as well as litter to a small quaint village.”
Another local resident wrote: “We’re supposed to be educating our children to make better choices, not bombard them with fast food outlets every few miles.”
Deborah McDowall offered some support, saying: “The site requires smartening up.”
She added that “the company [should be] totally responsible for keeping the area clean and free of rubbish.”
Samantha Davies said: “Although I do support the development of this land, I think the choice of how to develop is a bad one. We desperately need another fuel station in the area.”
The application has also provoked a fierce debate on social media.
Jon Abbott wrote on Facebook: “What is so unpalatable about employment opportunities for local people, especially youngsters?”
Pauline Wardle said: “There’s already a McDonalds, Greggs, Costa, Burger King and Dunkin Donuts just a few miles from this site. I’m all for new things, but the number of McDonalds is becoming ridiculous.”
Newark & Sherwood District Council will make a decision on the plans at a later date.
Owners of the Winner City Cantonese restaurant could not be reached for comment.
