The refusal by planners at Metropolis of York Council follows concerted campaigns by councillors, faculties and political events within the space.
It led to a petition with 1,500 signatures being introduced to the council over the summer time, a quantity which has now topped 3,000.
Welcoming the choice, Fishergate ward Labour councillor Conrad Whitcroft instructed The Press: “We introduced collectively the entire of the group on this, significantly in making ready for giant swathes of residents who despatched in objections. Over 500 objections had been despatched in, significantly referring to public well being.
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“I’m happy to see the planning system has labored to assist the general public well being of York.”
McDonald’s utilized to Metropolis of York Council to vary the usage of the previous Iceland subsequent to Aldi in April. The proposed venue would have lined 172 sq. metres, with 110 covers, however with no drive-thru.
The fast-food large stated its scheme would take strain of its six different venues within the metropolis. The scheme would additionally carry an empty constructing again to life.
A report by council planning employees famous how the scheme had no unacceptable visitors impacts however the Director of Public Well being objected.
Councils have a accountability to advertise wholesome communities and this scheme doesn’t obtain such goals, the director argued.
There have been issues about folks with unhealthy weights, an increase in childhood weight problems and hyperlinks between excessive fats, sugar and salt meals and circumstances together with coronary heart illness, strokes, excessive blood pressures, diabetes and a few cancers.
The report continued: “The council has lately adopted an promoting coverage limiting the adverting of such merchandise and subsequently the bus cease exterior the location can’t promote such meals whereas the constructing and promoting straight adjoining might. This could not be within the spirit of the council’s personal rules.”
The council has no mounted coverage on limiting the event of quick meals retailers close to faculties, whereas different councils have, it additionally stated.
Fishergate Planning Panel objected, believing the scheme would generate visitors congestion, noise and lightweight air pollution.
The report continued: “The panel additionally has issues over freeway security for college kids from the elevated visitors. The positioning is shut to 6 faculties and McDonald’s will exploit this passing commerce.
“One of many faculties caters for essentially the most weak children in York and there may be sturdy objection to the siting of McDonald’s in such shut proximity.”
Objectors to the brand new restaurant famous York has six different McDonald’s, they objected to its enterprise practices, having one other quick meals venue on the location, hurt to neighbouring cafes, plus fears of visitors congestion.
Opponents additionally raised litter and smells and the restaurant turning into a magnet for native schoolchildren.
Fulford Highway Councillor Kate Ravilious gave related representations in her opposition, as did Fulford Parish Council, plus Deansgate and York Steiner College and the York Inexperienced Celebration.
After assessing the problems metropolis planners advisable refusal because of the “hurt to native kids’s well being by the very shut proximity of lower than 250 metres of the proposed McDonald’s restaurant to the Steiner College and extra considerably, Danesgate Group College with the significantly weak nature of its pupils”.
The venue would even be near Fulford Secondary College and in a extremely seen location.
As such, the appliance didn’t meet new nationwide planning insurance policies aimed to “enhance well being and deal with the scourge of childhood weight problems”.
All different issues could possibly be addressed by circumstances.
The conclusion added: “Any advantages of the proposals are personal business advantages for the occupier. An alternate use would nonetheless present employment and the unit has solely been vacant since October 2023.
“There are not any advantages that outweigh the numerous harms recognized above to the well being of college aged kids from the siting of the McDonald’s restaurant with scorching meals take-away service as proposed and refusal of planning permission is advisable.”