A NUMBER of residents recently attended a public meeting against proposals for a drive-thru McDonald's.

The plans, for the area between Stourbridge Road and Birmingham Road, sparked controversy after they were submitted at the start of the year.

More than 80 residents attended a similar event in January and expressed fears around increased traffic on the Stourbridge Road and the Birmingham Road and the fact the fast food outlet was ‘within walking distance of three schools attended by more than 1,600 pupils’.

Jackie Johnson, of Pennine Road, Bromsgrove, said ahead of the last weekend's meeting, that the restaurant would take away further public parking and would mean less trade for small businesses.

She said: "Do we not already have sufficient places to eat on the High Street? I think, as a relatively small town, to encourage small business is a positive move. I fear that a McDonald's may well cause smaller businesses to suffer."

Chris Greenway, who lives on Stourbridge Road, said he cannot understand the thoughts behind this planning application.

"We already have traffic issues with the cross-roads at the end of the Stourbridge Road, flooding when it rains heavily, and additional traffic from the new Aldi and units on the refurbished retail park," he added.

"The local schools have not been relocated from their current premises, so why are they planning to open another fast food unit close to these schools?

"Creating a destination spot in a traffic choke-spot, with increasing traffic for the retail units and near to schools, seems to be madness or a case of greed without a care for the community."

Revised planning applications were sent to Bromsgrove District Council last week, detailing a two-storey McDonald's restaurant with car parking, store and side-by-side drive-thru lane, with two order points, canopies and an outside patio area with a children’s play area.

Residents have until December 28 to have their say on the resubmitted application.