A McDonalds located near the junction for a major Wirral motorway is causing a raft of problems for residents of a nearby estate, according to a local councillor.
Prenton Green councillor Christopher Cooke claimed the McDonalds, which is located near the Junction 3 turn-off for the M53, is creating "noise, light and traffic pollution" as well as littering problems in the local area.
But a spokesperson for McDonalds said they are committed to being a 'good neighbour' by carrying out litter patrols, purchasing and sponsoring bins in the community, lowering the restaurant lighting and reducing the luminosity of their signage.
The McDonalds, which attracted controversy when it was first proposed in 2019, was opened as a two storey restaurant with 24 hour drive-thru after approval was granted.
Some of the concerns expressed when it was first proposed included worries about increased traffic in the local area, noise and light pollution, as well as potential road safety worries given its proximity to the M53.
Cllr Cooke says since the McDonalds opened six months ago, residents on a nearby estate have complained of a range of problems with the premises.
Speaking to the ECHO Cllr Cooke said: "The McDonalds came to a very close vote as there were so many objections two years ago and it went through with a vote of eight to five.
"It's only opened six months ago on the edge of Prenton Ward. The residents living closest are having the most problems.
"It's two storeys and open 24 hours, drawing a lot of people off the motorway and junction three as it's very visible from the junction and the roundabout.
"It has created increases in traffic and pollution, and although the McDonalds team themselves has done their best as far as I can see with litter picking teams around the estate, it doesn't completely eliminate the problem of people buying stuff and dropping litter throughout the ward. I'm forever seeing McDonalds cartons lying about.
"Residents nearby are also unhappy at having light pollution problems with it being open 24 hours a day, and with it being two storeys it overlooks a row of houses and those residents are having to deal with the impact of that now.
"Another issue is that some very large trees were cut down to make way for the McDonalds."
He added: "Those trees were originally planted to screen residents from the motorway junction and we're concerned about the loss of that shielding effect and the environmental impact.
"While they are committed to planting some more at the start of the next planning season in five or six months time, it will take time for them to establish and provide that effective screen."
Cllr Cooke says he is also concerned about the presence of more fast food restaurants in the borough at a time when the Wirral "sits at the bottom of the table with child obesity."
A spokesperson for McDonalds said: "We are committed to being a good neighbour in the communities we serve, and worked closely with the local authority throughout the planning process to design and deliver a scheme that was approved by the local planning committee.
"Since opening, we have put a number of measures in place to help alleviate the concerns of residents. These include extending our regular daily litter patrols, purchasing and sponsoring bins in the community, lowering restaurant lighting and reducing the luminosity of our signage."
