WINCHESTER’S first McDonald’s drive-thru has applied for permission to be open 24/7.

Work has started to convert part of the Tesco car park, in Easton Lane, Winnall, into a drive-thru restaurant.

The popular fast-food chain has submitted a late-night licensing application to Winchester City Council to stay open from 11pm to 5am every day. It does not need permission to open outside of these hours. 

If successful, the restaurant could be the city’s first 24-hour drive-thru.

Contractors began digging up part of the superstore car park near the end of July with the plan of opening before the end of the year.

READ MORE: McDonald’s drive-thru: Work starts at Tesco car park in Winnall

The new outlet will have 33 parking spaces, two accessible spaces, three grill bays and four bike stands. 

Despite objections over potential traffic increases amid the climate emergency, the plan was approved unanimously by Winchester City Council at the end of last year.

A McDonald's spokesperson previously said: “We are excited to have started building work on-site at our new restaurant in Winchester and look forward to opening later this year. 

"The new restaurant will bring significant investment to the local area as well as creating at least 65 full and part-time jobs." 

Currently, Winchester only has one McDonald’s in St George’s Street, which is open 6am until 11pm.

It is hoped the new McDonald's will be able to ease the burden of delivery drivers using the city-centre store. 

Licensing notices have been put up at the new site, or people can view the details on Winchester City Council's website. 

People have until September 12 to submit written comments to the council for consideration.