Nottinghamshire town's first McDonald's pulled after safety concerns raised

Plans have been pulled for a Nottinghamshire town to get its first McDonald's restaurant after some residents raised safety concerns. The national fast food chain said that its plans to open a branch on land off Lane End in Kirkby-in-Ashfield would have created 250 jobs.

The eatery would have been based right opposite an Aldi supermarket and some concerns had been raised about issues including traffic and public health. Nottinghamshire's highways authority (HA) wrote in its response to the plans: "The HA considers that [the plans] will give rise to the potential for obstruction of free flow along the B6020. There is also the likelihood of adverse impacts on highway safety."

Ashfield District Council has now confirmed that McDonald's has pulled its plans. No reason has yet been given, with the council simply confirming that McDonald's requested the withdrawal on October 10.

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Plans would have seen the currently empty land being redeveloped into a drive-thru restaurant with car parking. One of several residents, who raised concerns about the plans, wrote to the council and said: "The site is also far too close to primary and secondary schools which would then encourage children and adults to eat more junk food.

"We already have several takeaways and cafes within the area. We have more of these then we do retail shops.

"The traffic on that road is also nose to tail most days and this will only add to it. I will add that myself and my children like McDonald's and we order it in as a treat once a month but I do not want one on my doorstep." It is not yet clear if McDonald's will resubmit amended plans at a later date.