Britain鈥檚 smallest county is to get its first McDonald鈥檚 drive-thru 鈥 despite objections from people and groups including the local Oakham In Bloom group.
The burger chain gained planning permission last night to build a branch in Rutland 鈥 the last county in England without a McDonald鈥檚 .
More than 50 objections were made against the plans with some suggesting the 鈥渦nsightly鈥 development would increase litter, impact other traders and even undermine 鈥淭he Rutland Brand鈥.
Others feared it would increase anti-social behaviour and devalue local houses in a picturesque town of Oakham, while one person opposed the plans 鈥減urely for who they are and what they stand for鈥.
In a submission included in the planning officer鈥檚 report, Oakham In Bloom鈥檚 chairman said the all-volunteer charity felt obliged to object to the application on the terms the application had set out.
Commenting on the original planning application, the group鈥檚 submission stated: 鈥淚n our opinion the landscaping would create a stark and ugly environment for people that would be incongruous with its surroundings.
鈥淚t would have a negative effect on the town. Such eyesores, once built will be there for decades.鈥
McDonald鈥檚 said it would create 65 jobs and meet demand from the public. There were 23 submissions in support of the plan.
Edward Baines, chairman of Rutland County Council鈥檚 planning committee, told members of the public the issue was 鈥渙ne of land usage and not the grounds of the applicant鈥.
After planning offices said it should go-ahead, councillors eventually gave the nod after an hour of debate.
The planners report said: 鈥淭he design and layout of the proposal is appropriate in the area.
鈥淣atural and neutral colours and materials will be used on the building and the size and design of the building would not have an adverse impact on the surrounding area or the amenities of nearby residential properties.
鈥淭he site represents an appropriate location for a drive-thru restaurant.鈥
McDonald鈥檚 staged a consultation event in Oakham in May last year, which was attended by almost 400 people.
The chain鈥檚 plans to develop the 鈥渨asteland鈥 site off Lands End Way include a 6.75 metre-high sign, odour control measures, and patrols to collect litter in the local area.
The successful applicant, Martin Cuthbert, who will become the manager of the franchise, said he was 鈥渃onfident now is the right time to open a restaurant鈥 in Oakham, describing the fast food chain as 鈥渟afe and family-friendly鈥.
Mr Cuthbert said he was expecting the restaurant to attract customers from 鈥渂oth Oakham and passing traffic 鈥 and particularly people visiting Rutland Water鈥.
McDonald鈥檚 has agreed to use stone on parts of the exterior of the single-storey drive-thru, as well as khaki green, timber-effect aluminium to achieve a 鈥渟ubtle natural feel鈥 to the building.
A McDonald鈥檚 spokesperson said: 鈥淲e are delighted that the Rutland Planning Committee has approved our application for a new restaurant in Oakham.
鈥淥ver the last year, we carried out an extensive consultation process, speaking to local residents about our plans and have been heartened by the levels of support we have received.
鈥淭he new McDonald鈥檚 will create at least 65 new jobs for local people, and we鈥檙e excited about working alongside the local community.鈥
