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The single-lane A472 through Maesycwmmer has long been identified as a traffic bottleneck, so it’s little surprise that plans for a McDonald’s drive-thru have prompted such a strong reaction from residents.

The global fast-food chain, famous for its golden arches, wants to build a new restaurant on land currently used as a car dealership and car wash, just off the busy road near the crucial pinch point where it changes from dual carriageway to single lane.

Caerphilly County Borough Council’s current Local Development Plan (adopted in 2010 and still in use) states: “Present traffic levels along the A472 through Maesycwmmer exceed capacity and the resulting problems of congestion and queuing vehicles, during peak periods, inhibits the efficient functioning of the network.”

So why here? The company is known to use a vast array of data points and computer models to identify optimal sites. Caerphilly Observer understands it has long coveted a central location in the county borough, with existing restaurants in Blackwood, Newbridge and Caerphilly.

But one thing a computer model can never replicate are the feelings of residents who fear worsening traffic problems in the area.

It is against this gridlock that Maesycwmmer residents have organised themselves under the name ‘Keep Maesy Moving’ for a fight against Ronald and his friends.

Bethan Hazelden lives on Underwood Avenue, which comes off Main Road opposite the proposed McDonald’s site.

Already the survivor of several near-misses when joining or leaving the A472, she is understandably concerned about increasing traffic levels and their impact on health, the environment and pedestrian safety.

She said: “It is going to be horrendous – not just for residents, but for anyone who has to travel.”

McDonald’s recently held a public consultation event in the village, which was attended by around 80 people – with the majority, if not all, against the plans. Bethan was one of them, and she was left less than impressed.

She explained: “We didn’t come away with much hope. It sounded like they were pressing on with things. It didn’t feel like they were taking us seriously with our concerns – they were quite dismissive.”

This was echoed by another resident of Underwood Avenue, Matthew Tucker. He said the consultants hosting the event claimed they were independent but added: “How can they be when they’re being paid by McDonald’s?”

The A472 is a key route through the county borough and Matthew correctly pointed out that the existing infrastructure cannot cope with current levels.

He explained: “If this goes ahead, there will be major issues for blue-light services. We have ambulances going to and from Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, and Gwent Police’s main custody unit is near there.”

While the scheme’s initial plans do include road improvements, a proposal for a right-hand filter lane into the site (travelling south) has been met with scepticism.

There are also concerns about antisocial behaviour and the potential negative impact on property prices.

Political opposition

The community’s fight is already being backed by Member of Parliament Chris Evans, of Labour, and Plaid Cymru’s newly elected Senedd Member for Caerphilly, Lindsay Whittle.

In a letter to McDonald’s UK chief executive Lauren Schultz, Mr Evans wrote: “Anyone who uses this road often will know that traffic is a constant problem. The design of the traffic lights where four lanes merge into one in the Maesycwmmer direction before the bend mean that traffic almost never flows freely. Adding in a McDonald’s to this section of road would only make the traffic problems worse in both directions, throughout the day. This would be unacceptable to me and to the nearby residents.

“I am also concerned that wherever a McDonald’s or other similar fast-food restaurant are established, unfortunately they often become littered with rubbish. While McDonald’s promise regular litter-picks on site, everyone knows that litter spreads far and wide very quickly.

“McDonald’s restaurants are also known to be places where people gather at all times of the day. This will mean nearby residents, especially those on Underwood Avenue, Main Road, The Boot, Springfield Road, Y Glyn Sheltered Housing, Pleasant View, Glen View, Vale View, and others, are likely to be disrupted by light and noise pollution. This is exacerbated by the steep hillside which will mean housing will be higher than the proposed site, and therefore more exposed. There will also be disruption during construction.

“It is also evident that there are three other McDonald’s franchises nearby in Blackwood, Newbridge and Caerphilly, all no further than a 12-minute drive away. I am therefore not convinced that there would be a specific or urgent need for a McDonald’s in the Maesycwmmer area.”

Mr Whittle said: “I have received many complaints from people who travel to work from Caerphilly about this new development. This road is a major bottleneck.”

He added: “This is the craziest site I have ever heard of for a McDonald’s in all my life.”

In an opinion piece for Caerphilly Observer, Steve Aicheler, the Liberal Democrat candidate in the recent Caerphilly Senedd by-election, has also outlined why he thinks the new restaurant is a bad idea.

The global chain has been running a pre-planning application consultation, which ended on November 19, to gather people’s views.

It has said the site will create 135 part-time and full-time jobs and generate between £50,000 and £60,000 in business rates. It will be run by a local franchisee.

The planned McDonald’s will have 40 car parking spaces, including two accessible bays, four electric vehicle charging points, four motorcycle parking spaces and three cycle spaces.

Rebecca Ross, project manager at McDonald’s, said: “Our plans to transform the former Colin Price Cars and The Car Centre Maesycwmmer dealerships into a vibrant new McDonald’s restaurant and drive-thru represent an exciting opportunity for Maesycwmmer.

“This redevelopment will breathe new life into a well-connected location, creating a welcoming destination for local residents and visitors alike.”

According to the McDonald’s consultation website, the application will include a Transport Assessment comparing the road’s current use with projected traffic if the restaurant is built.

What next?

A formal planning application to Caerphilly County Borough Council is expected to be submitted by the end of the year, and this is when residents can lodge formal objections.

Like any other development, officers will need to come up with sound legal grounds to recommend either refusal or approval to the council’s planning committee – made up of elected members.

If they don’t, or councillors decide to reject the plans despite a recommendation for approval, the council could be exposed to a planning appeal – which costs money.

Before a formal application is made, it is not unusual for planning officers to enter into a form of negotiation with developers. This is where Caerphilly County Borough Council can flex its muscles by insisting on certain conditions.

One of these is what’s known as a Section 106 agreement – named after the relevant legislation in the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.

Simply put, a developer can offset, or compensate, a local authority for some of the impacts their proposed construction could have on an area – such as a new housing estate placing pressure on nearby schools, or a fast-food restaurant increasing traffic.

Sometimes the Section 106 agreement might require the developer to carry out a specific piece of work, such as building a new playground or community centre – or even a new road.

Even with this mechanism in place, it is still up to officers to make a valid recommendation to councillors on the planning committee – who ultimately have the final say.