Another step back for Big Mac

IT looks set to be second time unlucky for McDonalds in their latest attempt to get a new drive thru restaurant in Dumfries.

The fast food giants have put in a new planning application for a site just off Annan Road.

They pulled their initial proposals late last year after negative feedback from the local authority.

But they feel confident they’ve addressed the original issues and say the new project would create 80 jobs and be an economic and social boost to the town.

However, planning officials are still adamant it’s not the right spot and are recommending that councillors reject the application at a meeting next week.

In officers’ view, the chosen location is too ‘remote’ from the main population areas of Dumfries and therefore does not meet the requirements of local living.

As such, it encourages car use, they argue.

And that goes against council policy, as a report prepared for the planning meeting says: “The proposed land use encourages hundreds of vehicle trips a day.

“The applicant’s traffic assessment states at peak times on weekday (8-9am), there would be 111 two-way trips per hour and on the Saturday peak hour (12-1pm), there would be 350 two-way trips per hour with 58 ‘new’ two way onto network and 247 as ‘existing’ journeys.”

It goes on to describe the development as ‘inviting’ vehicle travel and not encouraging sustainable options.

In addition, Scottish Government guidance on drive throughs is quoted too, which states: “To support a healthier food environment hot food takeaways, including permanently sited vans, can be directed towards centres. This can support local living and 20 minute neighbourhoods by helping to create diversity of access to food.”

The planners therefore conclude: “Pulling all of the above together, it is considered that application site would not meet the guidance set out by the Chief Planner in the letter of 8 February 2023 to comply with the “wider policies, including those relating to reducing emissions that contribute to climate change and to wider policies that aim to improve town centres and support local living”.

“The site due to its location remote from areas of significant population in the town, the proposed development would be heavily dependent on visits by car and would not support local living.”

Meanwhile, only one other objection was received from the public, while there were 32 supporters of the scheme.

It will now be up to councillors to make the final decision when they meet in the English Street offices on Wednesday morning.