McDonald’s axes drive-thru bid (From Daily Echo)

McDonald’s axes drive-thru bid for Red Lion site in Totton

10:40am Friday 30th March 2012 in Business

FAST food giant McDonald’s has withdrawn an application which would have created 75 jobs in a Hampshire town, the Daily Echo can reveal.

McDonald’s has pulled the plug on a proposal to build a restaurant and drive-thru after an avalanche of objections.

But job-hunters were given new hope last night after the company revealed to the Daily Echo a revised scheme is likely to be submitted.

The proposed site in Commercial Road, Totton, was formerly occupied by the Red Lion pub, which was destroyed by fire in 2010.

Protesters said the development would result in crime, antisocial behaviour and a spate of accidents involving vehicles trying to emerge from the site.

Objectors included the police, who wrote a hard-hitting letter to New Forest District Council.

Today the Daily Echo can reveal that Ken Thornber, leader of Hampshire County Council, also sent a letter of objection.

He warned that the proposed development was likely to result in extra traffic using what was already an extremely busy road.

The application attracted a total of 84 objections – and just one letter of support.

A McDonald’s spokesman said the company had withdrawn its application following what he described as concerns relating to the design of the proposed development.

He added: “We will address these concerns and hope to resubmit our application in the near future.”