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.
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.
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.
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