McDonald's back on the menu?

A SECOND McDonald’s restaurant could be back on the menu for Dumfries.

It comes after the fast food chain re-submitted its plans for a £4 million new drive-thru on the Annan Road. They say the new store would create 120 jobs.

The takeaway giants withdrew their planning application for a new restaurant and drive-thru at the site last December.

It was due to be heard at a planning committee, where officials were recommending refusal on the grounds that the site was not suitable and that it would have an unduly detrimental visual impact.

But the company pulled it before it could go before councillors.

Andrew Crewther, senior acquisitions surveyor with McDonald’s, stated the revised plans direct address those concerns.

He said: “We explored alternative sites at the Peel Centre, but one is already earmarked for Costa, and the other has permission for a much smaller unit that doesn’t meet our operational needs.

“The application also responds to feedback from council officers by repositioning the building and adding new tree planting to help soften the development’s appearance and create a buffer from the A75.

“Alongside delivering significant inward investment and creating 120 new local jobs, the new restaurant would also support more sustainable travel by improving local access to a McDonald’s restaurant.

“We’ve been encouraged by the level of local support and remain hopeful for a positive outcome from the council.”

The revised planning application will be considered by the council’s planning committee in due course.