PLANS to build a drive-thru McDonald’s on a busy Wrexham retail park could go ahead despite concerns it will cause gridlock.
A previous application by the fast food chain to open a restaurant on the Plas Coch Retail Park was refused by councillors in June 2021 due to the impact on traffic and parking.
An appeal against the decision was later rejected by a planning inspector because of fears it would increase phosphate pollution levels in rivers.
The company resubmitted its proposals in May last year after upgrades were carried out at the Five Fords wastewater treatment works, which means it has more capacity to remove contaminants.
The two-storey development, which McDonald’s said would create more than 120 jobs, is proposed to be located on a car parking area which serves The Range and Farmfoods.
The scheme has now been backed for approval by a senior officer from Wrexham Council ahead of a planning committee meeting next week.
It comes despite concerns from community leaders that traffic on the retail park has grown worse since the original application after M&S opened a new foodhall there in December.
In correspondence sent to the local authority, members of Rhosddu Community Council said: “M&S have taken over the former Everlast Gym at the retail park and there has been an increase in traffic. The original parking surveys won’t have accounted for this.
“Previous traffic surveys were taken during Covid restrictions. More up to date surveys should be taken between 8am and 10am and 2pm and 6pm on school days.
“90 homes are being built on the Plas Coch Road which weren’t there when the previous application was submitted. These were not included in the traffic surveys.”
Two neighbouring residents have raised concerns, highlighting the proximity of the fast food restaurant to Ysgol Plas Coch Primary School.
They voiced fears it could lead to more littering and pollution from exhaust fumes, as well as an increase in rat problems in the area.
They also questioned the need for another McDonald’s in the city centre after a new restaurant was recently opened on the nearby Border Retail Park, in addition to the one on Regent Street.
A total of 88 representations were received in support of the proposals, citing the extra jobs and investment it would create.
Wrexham’s chief planning officer has recommended in a report that councillors should approve the application.
Addressing the traffic issues, David Fitzsimon said: “The road network serving the retail park suffers from capacity issues during weekday peak times and at the weekend, when queuing and delays are experienced.
“This application is accompanied by a traffic assessment which has assessed committed and planned developments in the locality, including the 90 homes on Plas Coch Road, the re-development of Glyndwr University and the 455 dwellings proposed (in Stansty).
“The traffic generation estimates for the restaurant itself have been based on analysis of other comparable restaurants and are considered acceptable.
“The traffic assessment demonstrates that the proposed development would result in a small change in the level of queues and would have only a minimal impact on the highway network.”
A total of 29 parking spaces are proposed to serve the restaurant, which Mr Fitzsimon said was considered “acceptable” by the council’s highways officer.
If approved, a planning condition will be put in place requiring a pedestrian crossing to be installed to serve the development before it can go ahead.
Mr Fitzsimon added: “The proposed development has the potential to attractive a significant number of pedestrian movements, particularly given the proximity of the Glyndwr University.
“The highway officer has recommend that a proposed controlled crossing point be implemented prior to first use of the development.”
A decision will be made on the proposals by planning committee members when they meet on Monday (May 6, 2024).
