Controversial plans to build a drive thru McDonalds restaurant close to a residential area in Fife have been given the go ahead, despite attracting huge opposition.
Councillors have approved plans for the new two-storey fast food outlet at the Tesco store at Turnstone Road in Duloch, which will create 65 new jobs.
The application attracted more than 170 letters of objection and just three in favour of the development, with much of the concern centred around loss of amenity for nearby residents and the negative impact on traffic and the surrounding road infrastructure.
Concerns were also raised about public health and the potential increase in litter, noise and anti-social behaviour.
Councillor Ian Ferguson said: “I expect bank holidays and at Christmas time to be severely impacted with any spare car park capacity taken up which would create gridlock.
“I’m not happy with the application and furthermore I have reluctance to accept the transport assessment for the development which seems to just shrug and say it will be ok. I don’t believe that.”
However, planning officers advised councillors there would be spare capacity at peak times at the adjacent Tesco supermarket, even though the new drive thru would take up 67 existing spaces.
Councillors were also advised a transport assessment of the drive-thru’s impact had found no negative impact on road capacity, an assessment with which Fife Council’s transport officers agreed.
Members of the Central and West planning committee were reminded the proposal complied with the Local Development Plan and Councillor John Beare warned colleagues there were no planning reasons to refuse the proposal.
“If we do so we will leave Fife Council likely to face costs. I understand councillors' comments but there is no defendable reason to refuse this application," he said.
It was agreed to restrict delivery and opening times to 6am to midnight.
