A planned McDonald’s in Kendal would help improve the existing litter issue in the area, the chain said.
The restaurant chain has proposed the construction of a new drive-thru restaurant at South Lakes Retail Park off the A685 which could create 120 new jobs.
Consultation documents said the drive-thru would have customer order displays on the eastern boundary, away from the nearby properties, and carry out at least three daily litter picks to collect all rubbish in the vicinity of the restaurant – among measures to protect the amenity of neighbours.
Plans were showcased at an event held at Kendal Rugby Club.
Oliver Rebeiro, senior acquisitions surveyor at McDonald’s, said: “In terms of being a good neighbour we’re looking at doing litter picking, we’ve had a few people come today and mention litter in the car park.
“It’s part of our franchisee arrangement, franchisees have to do three litter picks a day, so it’s improving the existing litter issue that people are raising, and I’d like to think it would hopefully improve it with us coming.”
The restaurant chain is currently undertaking pre-application consultation on the proposals before a full planning application is submitted to Westmorland and Furness Council.
In public consultation documents, the fast food chain said: “The creation of a new drive-thru restaurant would also deliver a range of benefits, including significant investment into the local economy and the creation of approximately 120 new jobs, in a range of full and part-time positions.
“We recognise that whilst the site is part of a wider commercial area, there are residential properties nearby. We take our responsibility to our neighbours very seriously and have embedded a range of measures in our emerging proposals to protect the amenity of our neighbours.”
The proposed site will have six parking spaces along with access to parking at the retail site, will operate 24 hours a day and will be accessed via Queen Katherines Avenue.
Mr Rebeiro added: “The proposal is for 24 hours, the reason for that is we know there will be demand for people to get food at that time of night and it’s just providing that option.”
McDonald’s said if planning permission was granted the new drive-thru restaurant will generate around £30,000 in business rates each year, a proportion of which will be retained by Westmorland and Furness Council to help fund local services.
