PLANS for a new McDonald’s drive-thru in Milford Haven took a hit this week after County Hall planners rejected its initial planning application. The application did not even get as far as consideration by the Planning Committee.
The plans would site the proposed restaurant at the former Paul Sartori furniture store in the Havens Head retail park.
The proposals involve soft landscaping around the drive-thru area, which contributed to the refusal.
Surveys carried out by the developer disclosed the potential presence of asbestos in the ground near the restaurant’s location.
The presence of asbestos in old buildings in Pembrokeshire has delayed many substantial building projects, including the development of schools in St Davids and Pembroke and the redevelopment of the former Narberth school. While the building is free of asbestos, the developers must address the risk of disturbing it during groundwork.
Planners’ caution is understandable. Asbestos is highly carcinogenic, causing lethal mesothelioma. Even brief exposure to it can have deadly, long-term effects.
The decision reads: “The information submitted is insufficient to mitigate the potential risk posed by the presence of asbestos.”
The refusal notes that an appropriate strategy and verification plan must be in place to deal with potential asbestos for the soft landscaping areas. County Hall officers also want details of how the developer would deal with potential asbestos during excavation works.
The applicants can now resubmit their application to address the concerns expressed in the refusal.
That will likely delay the drive-thru’s construction, provided the revised plan meets no further objections and passes the planning process.
