A BUSINESSMAN has told a public inquiry that "chaos" would ensue if an historic Southampton pub was destroyed and replaced by a McDonald's.

The fast food giant wants to knock down the Bittern pub on Thornhill Park Road and replace it with a two-story 24-hour outlet.

A number of residents have spoken at the inquiry at Southampton Civic Centre in favour of the pub, highlighting its importance to the community.

Daily Echo:

And Stuart McNee, director of nearby Aardvark Appliances, said he was concerned at the effect a busy fast food restaurant would have on the area.

He said: "I object to the application by McDonald's because of the environmental impact it will have on the surrounding businesses and the traffic chaos it would cause.

"In the past I had problems with parking availability and the Bittern, not only a community facility for its own patrons, offered its car park to my staff and other traders in the daytime to ease the parking burden outside the shops.

"This has been a very successful operation for all involved and I might also say they do not even charge us for the use of the car park."

A public inquiry was called after McDonald's appealed Southampton City Council's decision to reject the original application.

Daily Echo:

James Pereira QC, representing McDonald's, is seeking to demonstrate that the pub is not viable and that a restaurant would not cause problems in the area.

Mr Pereira cross-examined Vanessa White, highways development management team leader for Southampton City Council.

He said: "At busy times the flow of traffic is broken up by people doing various manoeuvres.

"This is not a stretch of road that has a free flow of traffic."

The inquiry will continue this afternoon and will be adjourned this evening.

Government-appointed inspector Lloyd Rodgers said it would require another two days to examine all the evidence, but a date has not been set for the extra hearings.