Wednesday, 15 March 2023 15:15

Residents who were opposed to a new McDonald's restaurant in Glossop have launched a new campaign now that the fast-food giant has approval to open in the town.

On 6 March, High Peak Borough Council's Development Control Committee gave the green light for the new 24-hour restaurant and drive-thru, which will be built on the site of the former Wren’s Nest pub - off Glossop Brook Road - which is to be demolished.

A representative for McDonald's told the meeting that the development would bring a derelict site back into use, create 120 full time and part time jobs for local people, and represent a significant investment in the area.

The firm have also committed to undertaking regular litter picks around the site, providing training opportunities and ensuring all packaging becomes recyclable by 2024.

But a new campaign called 'Glossop McDonald's - Residents Fight Back' has now been started on Facebook, which organisers say is aimed at reducing the impact of the restaurant on residents and the town once it opens its doors.

Councillors gave the go-ahead to the plans, subject to conditions, despite concerns about further traffic congestion. Derbyshire County Council's Highways department expressed no objections and stated that the network "would cope".

One resident, who lives in Wren Nest Mill close to where the restaurant will be built, fears otherwise, saying "it will be like a garage" with cars spilling out onto the high street and businesses struggling to make deliveries on Glossop Brook Road.

Residents are also concerned about noise, litter and anti-social behaviour.

In response, people are being encouraged to make a difference by actively engaging with McDonald's, local councillors and the police to manage any issues.

Organisers say the campaign will push for High Peak Borough Council to provide more bins in the vicinity of the restaurant and impose on-the-spot fines for littering. They would also like McDonald's to extend their 150-metre litter pick zone to include the town centre itself, as well as residents to litter pick their own locality.

Further information can be found on the 'Glossop McDonald's - Residents Fight Back' Facebook page.