Plans for a 24-hour McDonald’s drive-thru and petrol station beside the M90 in Fife should be refused, planners have said.
Applicants Ian Maclellan and TG Convenience Stores Ltd want to create a 10-pump filling station, retail kiosk and electric vehicle charging points 100 metres from junction four at Kelty.
The single-storey fast food restaurant would make up around half the site.
The applicants say the development on the vacant Kathellan cafe and farm shop would create 130 jobs.
But planning officials say the proposal is unacceptable in a countryside location.
And councillors have been urged to refuse permission when they meet on Wednesday.
Case officer Jamie Penman said: “Significant concerns are also raised with regard to both road and pedestrian safety.
“The application is therefore unacceptable.”
Mr Penman added that the proposal would have a “significant detrimental impact” on the character of the countryside.
McDonalds drive-thru would bring empty site back into use
Mr Maclellan owns the proposed site and TG Convenience Stores operates roadside services across the UK.
They said the location benefitted from being close to Kelty, Knockhill racing circuit and the M90 commerce park, as well as the national motorway network.
“The M90 is the principal route for road users travelling between Edinburgh and Perth, Dundee or Aberdeen,” they said.
The site has been empty since 2018 after challenging trading conditions saw cafe owners Baxters move out.
In a submission to Fife Council, the applicants said: “The development will bring the site back into active economic use.
“And it will make a positive contribution to the local economy by restoring jobs and the passing trade that has been absent since the Baxters facility closed.
“McDonald’s has been secured as the operator of the freestanding restaurant and drive-thru.
“The proposed development will operate on a 24-hour basis.”
The restaurant would have 100 seats and 40 car parking spaces.
And the petrol station would include a separate refuelling area for HGVs.
Not safe for pedestrians
However, in a report to Wednesday’s planning committee, Mr Penman says: “The development would represent an unjustified and unplanned development in the countryside and would therefore have a considerable detrimental negative impact.”
He also raised concerns over vehicle and pedestrian safety due to the location.
“There is no safe pedestrian crossing infrastructure over the M80 slip roads,” he said.
“There is no high school in Kelty but school-age children and pedestrians would be attracted to the proposed drive-thru.”
Conversation