Fresh bid to open new McDonald's in Billingshurst

Fast food chain McDonald’s is refusing to give up on its plans to open a new restaurant and drive-thru in Billingshurst.
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Horsham District Council turned down a planning application for a 100-seater restaurant and drive-thru at Billingshurst Business Park in May.

But now landowners Dunmoore Group have re-submitted an application for the development.

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If it goes ahead the new McDonald’s plans to open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

How the new McDonald's could lookHow the new McDonald's could look
How the new McDonald's could look

When the proposals were first revealed, there were mixed public views. Many expressed delight and others raised concerns over increased traffic and litter in the area.

The council originally refused planning permission because of a loss of employment floorspace, water neutrality issues, and the ‘adverse harm’ the restaurant would cause to ‘the setting and character of the edge of village location.’

But, in re-submitting the proposals, the company says it is now addressing those concerns.

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The Dunmoore group, which owns the business park, maintains there would be no loss of employment floorspace because more is being provided at other units on the site.

McDonald’s itself says that it would provide 65 new jobs for local people – and people would have an opportunity to join its exensive training scheme.

And it maintains there is ‘a need and market demand’ for the restaurant and drive-thru.

Dunmoore says that the development would not increase water abstraction in the area – water recycling systems would be introduced along with measures to harvest rainwater.

McDonald’s says it would also introduce a litter management plan with frequent litter patrols of the area.