Campaigners in Leeds are celebrating after fast food giant McDonald’s failed in its latest bid to secure planning permission for a controversial new restaurant.
The firm has had two previous attempts to get the green light to build a burger joint at Tingley roundabout knocked back by Leeds City Council.
As previously reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, McDonald’s submitted yet another planning application for the site earlier this year.
But it has proved to be a case of third time unlucky for the firm, with council officials confirming yesterday that the application had been rejected.
The decision was greeted with delight by Coun Neil Dawson (Lab, Morley South).
He told the YEP: “This is great news for the local residents in Tingley. It sends a clear and unambiguous message to McDonald’s that this site is not suitable for its development and it will not happen.
“More than 1,500 people objected to the proposed development, which shows the strength of feeling in Tingley.”
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McDonald’s asked the council for permission to demolish Tingley roundabout’s White Bear pub and replace it with a two-storey restaurant.
It would have had space for about 100 diners at any one time and would also have included a drive-through facility.
Rejecting the firm’s application, the council said the scheme would have led to noise and disturbance as well as a loss of privacy for residents on Oban Close and Tingley Common.
The local authority also noted concern had been voiced about the possibility of anti-social behaviour being caused by youths using the restaurant as a gathering point.
A spokesman for McDonald’s said the firm was “disappointed” by the council’s decision. He went on: “While we appreciate there is some local opposition, we have been working to address these concerns and have also found substantial support for our plans.
“We will take time to review the council’s comments before making any future decisions on this site.”
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