McDonald’s comments on opening of new restaurant in Chesterfield

Last month, councillors gave the fast food giant planning permission to operate at the site of the former multi-storey car park on West Bars – creating 65 jobs.

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A McDonald’s spokesperson told the Derbyshire Times: “We are pleased to be progressing with the new restaurant in Chesterfield and our ambition is to open later in the year."

McDonald’s currently has two outlets in the town – one at Low Pavement and another at the Alma Leisure Park.

"There are no plans to close the other two restaurants in the town,” the McDonald’s spokesperson added.

When the planning application was approved, readers had their say on our Facebook page.

Ann Andrew said: “I honestly can’t believe Chesterfield needs yet another McDonald’s restaurant!”

Kenny Turner said: “The traffic is going to be mental.”

Others voiced concerns about a rise in litter, obesity and ‘foul smells’ because of the new restaurant.

However, Toby Marples said: “It makes a change a company wanting to open in Chesterfield – plus creating jobs is always going to be good.”

Liberal Democrat Councillor Ed Fordham, who represents the Brockwell ward on Chesterfield Borough Council, added: “This is good news – good for jobs, good for the economy, good for West Bars and good for developing that whole area as part of Chesterfield’s takeaway offer.

“The challenge is making the takeaway service less environmentally damaging, more eco-friendly and limiting litter but I’m sure McDonald’s will work with us to achieve that.”

McDonald’s plans for West Bars were previously refused by councillors.

In September last year, councillors went against the advice of their own officers and rejected the firm’s first planning application.

McDonald’s accused the council of ‘unreasonable behaviour’ in relation to that refusal.

The company later submitted an appeal against the rejection as well as a claim for costs against the authority – and it also lodged a second planning application, the one which has now been approved.

A council spokesperson said: “The appeal and the decision around if costs should be awarded or not will be made by the planning inspector in due course.”

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