A new McDonald’s drive-thru is set to open on the site of a disused pub in Chorley – but councillors have stepped in to prevent it operating around the clock. Chorley Council’s planning committee gave the green light to a new branch of the fast food outlet on land currently occupied by the former Beaumont pub in Clayton-le-Woods. However, amid a raft of concerns from members of the public – including over the potential for anti-social behaviour and noise – members demanded the restaurant close no later than midnight and not open any earlier than 6am.
Clayton East, Brindle and Hoghton ward councillor Michelle Beach – who usually sits on the committee, but sat out consideration of the restaurant plan so she could speak on behalf of residents – said locals feared it would bring “lawlessness”, the like of which had been reported at McDonald’s outlets in Chorley and Leyland town centres. Before departing the meeting she added that there were already three McDonald’s in a four-mile radius of the Woodale Road site where the new one will be built, next to Asda. Clayton-le-Woods resident Ron Gates told the committee the location was “a quiet residential area where many elderly people live and shop".
“[They] would feel nervous and intimidated by the possibility of threatening behaviour by young people and boy racers,” Mr. Gates added. However, deputy committee chair Alex Hilton said it was important to remember the previous use of the abandoned plot.
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