A FAST-food giant has ditched its bid for a new restaurant in Woolston, Southampton – because it has found another site.

McDonald’s was set to clash with city council planning chiefs at an appeal after the authority rejected its plans for a new drive-through on Portsmouth Road.

But the firm has ditched its proposals for the unused site, formally a council housing office, confirming it has found an alternative location.

A spokesperson for McDonald’s refused to say where that site was or give any further details.

A company said: “Having identified an alternative site in the surrounding area, we can confirm we have withdrawn our planning appeal for the proposed Woolston restaurant.

 

"We remain committed to investing in the local area and finding a location that works for both ourselves and the local community.”

McDonald’s lodged an appeal with the planning inspectorate earlier this year after council planners rejected proposals for the store – which would have been the chain’s sixth in the city.

Planning officers had recommended the store be approved, despite more than 60 letters of objection from residents. But councillors went against the officer’s recommendations, raising fears the fast-food restaurant would increase anti-social behaviour in the area.

They also raised concerns that a three-storey restaurant would be an “overdevelopment” of the site.

Cllr Alex Houghton

said: “I am surprised McDonald’s has decided to withdraw from this site, while also ending their appeal of the council refusal of planning permission. Clearly they’ve been looking to open a store in the east of Southampton for a number of years and they saw this as a prime location.

“Many residents and the police were concerned about having a McDonald’s here and hopefully they took on board these concerns and have found a more suitable location.”

 

He added: “It does seem such a waste that the council decided to close the car park on this site as this land has now sat derelict for several years, serving no purpose. Let’s hope the council agrees to reopen the car park.”