The world’s largest fast food chain, McDonald’s, could be coming to Kirkby in Ashfield. The restaurant chain is consulting residents near the proposed site at Lane End opposite Kirkby in Ashfield railway station.
The proposed site is currently derelict wasteland after a former engineering works were cleared. McDonalds are proposing to “comprehensively re-develop the site, through the development of a new McDonald’s drive thru restaurant, with associated car parking and a carefully designed landscape scheme.”
Planning permission has not yet been applied for. As a pre-application process, McDonalds have commissioned the specialist planning communications firm Cavendish to consult with local residents.
“The site currently comprises of cleared brownfield land, having remained vacant since the closure of the engineering works on the site a number of years ago”, Cavendish say on a dedicated consultation website. “Located on the B6020, it is a main arterial route through the town. The site is within proximity to other businesses and is located directly opposite the train station and a local supermarket.
“McDonald’s proposals will regenerate this derelict site and bring it into restaurant use. This is an ideal location for a McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru, a key gateway location on the edge of Kirkby-in-Ashfield town centre.”
They say that McDonald’s want to “transform the site into an attractive and sustainable McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant” which would “enhance local food choice, while creating over 120 new jobs.”
Residents and businesses near the proposed site are being offered online meetings or telephone calls, ahead of a wider virtual public consultation which will take place online at mcdonaldsconsultation.co.uk/kirkby-in-ashfield. Closing date for feedback is Monday 13 May.
Residents will have a further opportunity for comment on the proposals once a planning application is submitted to the district’s planners.
McDonald’s has over 40,000 restaurants in more than 100 countries around the world – including more than 1,450 in the UK. Within the Ashfield district, the chain has branches in Hucknall and Sutton in Ashfield.
