New McDonald's near nature reserve refused

A new McDonald's near a nature reserve has been refused planning permission.

Guildford Borough Council said no to building the fast-food outlet at the fuel station on Blackwater Valley Road in Tongham.

The proposal for the restaurant - which would have been located on land next to Tice's Meadow Nature Reserve near Aldershot - would have eroded the countryside, resulted in an "unacceptable" loss of land within a conservation area, and lies within an area at risk of flooding, according to a council planning document.

McDonald's previously said it would create 120 jobs and that it was committed to enhancing biodiversity around the site and ensuring green space access for residents.

The council planning document also said the plans had failed to provide sufficient information to assess the impact on protected species and whether harm to protected species and habitats could be reduced.

The restaurant would have contained a drive-thru, car park, landscaping and associated works, customer order displays and a play frame.

More than 180 objections were raised to the plans, while eight submissions were made in support.

It is not yet known whether McDonald's will appeal the decision.

The plans were first submitted to Guildford Borough Council in October 2023.

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