Taunton residents have spoken out against new McDonald's

The fast food giant is to turn the former O'Bridge Brewers Fayre at Massingham Park into a fast-food restaurant, subject to conditions.

The work includes changes to the building’s elevations, replacement of heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems and other associated alterations.

Because the building was already used as a restaurant, the plans do not include a change of use.

In response, a McDonald's spokesman said they are excited about bringing the new restaurant to Taunton along with 120 new full and part-time jobs to the community.

Residents from Massingham Park and across Taunton have condemned the plans after they were approved.

They fear more noise, light and smells, anti-social behaviour, traffic, litter and parking problems.

Somerset Council said it did not consider parking, traffic and litter because the application covered only the building.

Massingham Park resident, Alan Richman, said: "We are really anti it [the new McDonald's].

"It's unnecessary, and it's going to cause even more problems than we have got already.

"You are going to be getting a lot more people coming in just for takeaways and what have you; if they can't find parking, where are they going to park?

"I've got an open area outside our place, and I can guarantee you that's where people are going to stop there. It's totally unacceptable."

Ant Millington, a Taunton tradesman, said: "They are putting a fast-food restaurant on the busiest roundabout in the area, in the middle of a housing estate, causing more problems for residents and the local community.

"You start putting in more traffic for a fast-food restaurant and more lorries, and you have a problem on your hands."

Luke Egleton, 27, started a petition against the development before the plans were approved.

The petition has now received 1,103 signatures.

Luke Egleton said: "I am not lovin' it."

He said in previous interviews with the Gazette: "We just think it is a bit inappropriate to build a fast-food chain in a location as close to residents as this.

"The reason I started the petition is that we don't want a high-footfall fast-food restaurant here.

"I know they have recently published a statement saying they 'strive to be a good neighbour', but at the end of the day, I strive to be a millionaire; it doesn't mean I am going to be one. It doesn't make sense for them to come in here and do that."

Many residents want the premises restored as a community pub with a children’s play area.

Jaqueline, another resident, said: "We don't want or need another McDonald's at the end of the street.

"I have to say there are five McDonald's within 4.2 miles of this exact spot.

"We need a community pub; there is nothing really in this area."

Ant added: "The Brewer's Fayre was a community hub pub; my stag do for my wedding was held there. It was what everyone wanted."

Andy, another resident, said: "How can we have a McDonald's in a residential estate?"

Residents also fear the extra traffic and congestion could cause an accident.

Andy said: "When the Deliveroo drivers come up this road and realise it is going to take 15 minutes to get out, they are going to take a chance and one of them is going to die.

"Do you think people coming here for a quick sandwich are going to wait 10 minutes? Do you think Deliveroo drivers have 10 minutes to spare? I don't. It's a disaster waiting to happen."

Residents also fear more anti-social behaviour, rodents, litter, noise, light and smells.

Helen said: "It's also the potential noise, as we know that car racers like to hang around and rev up their cars and speed and everything else.

"Well, I am a nurse, my husband is a HGV driver, and we need our sleep.

"I am not going to be listening to that.

"If we knew this was going to be happening, we wouldn't have bought our house."

A Somerset Council spokesperson said: "The application covered minor alterations to a building that already had planning permission for restaurant use.

"McDonald's therefore does not need planning permission to operate as a restaurant at the site.

"Because the application covered only changes to the building, parking, traffic, anti-social behaviour and litter could not be considered when it was decided.

"The plans did not propose any changes to lighting.

"The application assessed potential noise and odour impacts, and the Council's environmental health officer recommended appropriate conditions."

In May, Taunton Town Council’s planning committee opposed the plans and backed residents’ concerns.

Cllr Tom Deakin said during his comments in the planning documentation: "I want to be clear from the outset that I fully understand the limitations of the planning system in this case.

"The building already benefits from Class E use, and as such, the principle of a food and drink outlet operating from this site is already established.

"I therefore recognise that this application is not about determining whether a business such as McDonald’s can occupy the premises.

"However, I do feel it is important to place on record the strength of local concern regarding the likely impact of this change, particularly from residents in the nearby Massingham Park area, many of whom have contacted me directly.

"I would therefore urge that, should the application be approved, the Local Planning Authority gives serious consideration to appropriate conditions and safeguards, such as: a robust litter management plan, a traffic management plan, clear controls to prevent the future introduction of a drive-thru and/or 24-hour opening and full public consultation.

"Local residents are not opposing change for the sake of it, but they do want reassurance that their quality of life will be protected.

"It is important that their voices are heard and that any impacts are properly managed from the outset."

Several conditions were attached to the approval, including a limit on machinery noise to background levels.

Another bans the premises’ plant equipment from operating between 11pm and 5.30am, except for chiller and freezer condensers.

The planning conditions specifically refer to a submitted document titled "Odour Control Assessment for McDonald's Restaurant, The O'Bridge, Massingham Park, Taunton".

The council required all odour-control measures in the assessment to be implemented and maintained to stop cooking smells becoming a nuisance to nearby residents.

The kitchen extraction fan, air-handling units and other extract fans must also be fitted with specified silencers.

A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “We are excited about the opportunity to open a restaurant in Taunton.

"The restaurant will bring significant investment to the local area and deliver up to 120 full- and part-time jobs.”