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McDonald’s has dropped controversial plans to open a new site in Maesycwmmer.
The global fast food chain had submitted a planning application to open a new drive-thru site off the A472, on land currently used as a car dealership.
The plans were criticised by residents and local politicians, including Caerphilly’s Labour MP Chris Evans and Plaid Cymru MS Lindsay Whittle.
However, McDonald’s announced on Thursday May 14 that it had withdrawn its planning application “following a review of community feedback and further assessment of road safety at the site”.
In a statement, it said: “After considering feedback from the local community, additional work was carried out to assess the surrounding road network and access to the site.
“This found that, in its current form, the proposal could not sufficiently address road safety concerns on the A472.
“As a result, McDonald’s has decided to withdraw its application and will now look at alternative locations in the local area.”
McDonald’s already has restaurants in Blackwood, Newbridge, Caerphilly, and one near Pontymister.
It previously said the Maesycwmmer site would have created 135 part-time and full-time jobs and generate between £50,000 and £60,000 in business rates.
Phil Isherwood, senior acquisitions surveyor at McDonald’s UK and Ireland, said: “We have listened carefully to the concerns raised by residents about this site and have undertaken further assessments of road safety.
“Based on this, we are withdrawing our application as a result of risks identified but remain committed to bringing McDonald’s to the local area in a more suitable location.
“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to provide feedback. Community engagement is an important part of the planning process, and we will ensure local people have the opportunity to comment on any future local plans.”
‘The wrong place for a development like this’
Reacting to the news, Caerphilly MP Mr Evans said McDonald’s had “seen sense” amid concerns over “road safety, disruption, and pollution”,
He continued: “I, and many in the community, felt this was the wrong place for a development like this. That is why I wrote to McDonald’s and Caerphilly County Borough Council to express these concerns in detail, in opposition to this proposed development.
“I want to thank everyone who contacted me about this to raise their concerns. This shows how important it is for people to express their views about proposals like this, and that it is possible for common sense to prevail.”
Blaenau Gwent Caerffili Rhymni Mr Whittle meanwhile said “common sense has prevailed” and described the proposed site as “crazy”.
He continued: “The proposed site was totally the wrong one and the application led to opposition in large numbers.
“The strength of feeling against this scheme was such that a Facebook video I filmed about the proposal received almost 100,000 views.”
Bethan Hazelden, who lives on Underwood Avenue – which comes off Main Road opposite the proposed McDonald’s site – had raised concerns over the plan’s impact on traffic and pedestrian safety.
After learning that McDonald’s had withdrawn its plans, she told Caerphilly Observer: “It’s a great sigh of relief.
“I’m feeling great, I can’t put it into words – it’s great news.
Ms Hazelden said there had been “lots of concern and worry” in the community after the plans were first made public, but added: “I think if we, as a village, hadn’t spoken up, the result could have been very different.”
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