Town's first McDonald's plan to be looked at again

A plan for a town's first McDonald's will need to be reassessed because councillors did not follow planning rules when giving it approval.

A complaint was made that North Norfolk District Council failed to follow correct procedures when giving permission for the chain to open a branch in Fakenham.

In March, councillors voted in favour of the restaurant in Holt Road – which the company has said will create up to 120 full and part-time jobs.

But opponents have said the authority did not adequately consider the potential adverse health effects the restaurant could have, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Under planning rules, the close proximity of the site to a number of schools should have been considered as a potential reason to block it.

Fakenham Academy, Duke of Lancaster Academy, Fakenham Junior School and Fakenham Infant and Nursery School are all within a 20-minute walk of the site.

The National Planning Policy Framework also says a reason for refusal could be if there is evidence that a concentration of fast food outlets could have an "adverse impact on health, pollution or antisocial behaviour" in an area.

However, these aspects were not directly discussed in a council report about the application.

Following a complaint from an objector to the new McDonald's, the authority has decided to look at the application again.

A council spokesman said despite councillors giving planning approval "no decision notice has yet been issued and therefore the matter can be re-considered at Committee next month".

Its development committee will vote on whether or not to approve it again on 2 May.

Previously, in support of the application, an agent for McDonald's said: "Our teams will ensure McDonald's has a positive impact on the area…

"It will deliver benefits for the local economy."

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