AN APPLICATION to open a new McDonald's restaurant in Chandler's Ford has been submitted.

The fast-food outlet would be located within the Asda store on Bournemouth Road.

According to McDonald's, it hopes to open its new chain which will create at least 45 jobs by this September.

Based on the former site of the Asda cafe, the application for a premises licence was made to Southampton and Eastleigh Licensing Partnership Team.

A spokesperson for McDonald’s said: “We can confirm that plans have been submitted for a new restaurant in the Asda on Bournemouth Road.

"We look forward to progressing with this application and hope to invest in the local community as well as creating at least 45 new jobs.”

A spokesperson for Asda said: "We’re always looking for new ways to innovate and we work with a number of partners across our stores and online to enhance our offering for customers. We are pleased that plans for a McDonald’s in our Eastleigh store have been confirmed and customers can expect to see this open towards the end of the year.”

However, Councillor for Chandler's Ford, Alan Broadhurst, said: "If we are to have more take away food outlets then I would rather see ones which would promote healthy eating. Chandler's Ford already has a good number and variety of food outlets. If the McDonald's is in the centre of the site then any litter is likely to be contained within the car park area. If it is close to the car park entrance/filling station then I would expect ASDA to provide extra litter bins on their site. We would also need extra bins close to the site in Chestnut Avenue, Bournemouth Road and Hut Hill. The proposed site is not close to any schools which is a good thing."

Controversial plans for a new McDonald’s restaurant in Southampton were withdrawn in June.

City bosses were set to discuss the proposal for a new drive-through restaurant in the former Field and Trek building on Hawkeswood Road.

Residents sent 191 letters of objections to the council and sparked a protest which was backed by civic chiefs and Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith.

Planners said the positive aspects of the scheme were not likely to outweigh the negatives and recommended members of the Planning and Rights of Way Panel to refuse the proposal.