Fast-food giant McDonalds have been given the go-ahead to build a new restaurant in Glossop - despite concerns and reservations.

The new restaurant and drive-thru will be built on the site of the former Wren’s Nest pub which is to be demolished.

A representative of the fast food giant, speaking before High Peak Borough Council’s Development Control Committee, said they had worked closely with the officers and were pleased it was recommended for approval.

They highlighted the 990 supportive comments that said it would bring a derelict site back into use, would create local jobs and represent a significant investment in the local area.

The representative stated that the new 24-hour facility would create 120 full and part-time roles.

Councillors were told more about the firm, how they undertake regular litter picks around their site, provide training opportunities and their efforts to ensure all packaging becomes recyclable by 2024.

However, members of the committee voiced a number of concerns about the proposal - not least the negative impact on traffic, but as County Highways had no objections they would be unable to refuse the application on highway grounds.

Cllr Graham Oakley said he expected the drive-thru and collection to generate very long queues, which could then cause issues with lorries delivering to the businesses in the area.

“I haven’t read anything that recognises this fact. The person at Highways as usual has said the system will cope. I think there will be a real problem with queues. It is already terribly busy,” he said.

The former Wrens Nest pub off Glossop Brook Road will be demolished to make way for the McDonald's restaurant

Cllr David Lomax added: “I do have concerns over highways. When you go past other restaurants you see a large number of vehicles queuing.

“It will impact other businesses as well.

“I find it very difficult to find any reason to refuse it on planning grounds. It may not be what is wanted, but Highways do not support any arguments.”

Cllr Charlotte Farrell questioned the length of the report by officers that was presented to the committee. “The report itself feels really short,” she said, adding that she had seen longer reports for minor applications.

She expressed concerns over the litter that will be generated, the loss of a perfectly good building, the level of traffic that will be generated and impact on air quality.

Earlier, the meeting had heard from Jane Fantom, founder of the Oppose McDonalds group, who said insufficient weight had been given to the multiple, material objections summarised in the planning report.

“It is clear from these objections and a petition attracting 881 signatures that the development will have significant impact contradicting the conclusions of the report,” she said.

She said the application stated residential amenity was not considered a planning concern, ignoring the 72 flats in Wren Nest Mill and the Foundry Close development.

She added: “A 24-hour, drive-thru McDonalds will significantly impact on residents’ quality of life as follows - noise from long opening hours, increased traffic congestion, air and light pollution, increased litter, anti-social behaviour, and crime. All associated with fast food outlets such as McDonalds.”

She said the proposed development would contribute nothing to the beauty or heritage of Glossop, would negatively impact other businesses and only add to problems around obesity.

The application was approved subject to conditions.

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