McDonald's have launched an appeal with the planning inspector over the decision of Stoke-on-Trent City Council to refuse permission to be able to open longer. The fast food chain first submitted their plans in December 2022. 

Currently, due to strict planning conditions, McDonald's on High Street in Sandyford is unable to operate between 11pm and 7am. McDonald's wanted this changing to allow customers to eat at the restaurant until 2am.

However, the application was thrown out by planning officials at the city council who ruled that application should not be approved. Officials cited concerns over "further detriment to the amenity of nearby residential occupiers from the adverse impacts of noise and disturbance." 

Now the chain has appealed the decision, in their statement to the inspector they say the decision was not justified and officers ignored the evidence that they submitted. In the email exchange to the planning officer McDonald's stated how they were "slightly confused" over the grounds for refusal and sought to get the decision overturned.

The statement reads: "The Appellant agreed to a planning permission being granted for a 12-month period to be controlled by an appropriately worded condition, in order to monitor the alleged noise impacts as suggested by the Council. The professional officers refused the application on the grounds that the proposed extension of hours of use would adversely impact on the amenity of residents; namely as result of noise and disturbance. 

"As part of the 2023 application and this Statement, the Appellant has demonstrated that the decision was not justified and the reason for refusal is not sustainable. The Appellant concludes that the proposed development will not have an unacceptable impact on amenity.

"From the above, it is clear that the Council refused the 2023 Application based on a perception of adverse impact and ignored the technical and robust evidence provided by the Appellant."

During the consultation 17 members of the public objected to the plans and both Environmental Health and Staffordshire Police raised concerns over the plans, however both suggested a temporary 12 month approval to gauge the impact of the changes and to provide more time to carry out an accurate assessment. This solution was agreed to by McDonald's who claimed the changes would have no observable impact on residents.

Resident Carla James, who lives on High Street said: "The road is horrendous as it is, I don't want cars coming at all hours when I'm trying to sleep. The microphone for the drive thru is so loud sometimes I can hear it, can you imagine that at 2am.

"Then you have to think about the amount of rubbish and the people hanging around in the early hours. I can't understand why they want to do it."

READ MORE: Busy Stoke-on-Trent road now closed until Christmas for resurfacing works

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