Plans lodged by fast-food giant McDonald's for new Lanarkshire outlet

Multi-million pound plans have been lodged for a new McDonald's restaurant and drive-thru in East Kilbride.

Proposals submitted to South Lanarkshire Council also include associated car parking, separate delivery area, an external seating area, play structure, landscaping and associated structures at land at Morrisons' Lindsayfield supermarket.

If given the green light the restaurant could open by 2023.

Documents submitted from developers say the new fast-food outlet would create more than 65 full and part-time posts and is a "multi-million pound" investment in East Kilbride.

However, there have been a number of submissions from local residents to the council with fears of an increase in littering in the area and traffic issues and congestion.

More than 100 representations were lodged on Hogmanay alone, with residents in Lindsayfield having long complained about the lack of infrastructure and severe congestion on the road in and out of the area.

The town centre McDonald's closed last year with disgruntled staff only given nine days' notice.

But in documents which form part of the planning application, developers say: "The proposal represents a multi-million-pound investment by a national operator in East Kilbride and the restaurant is expected to employ more than 65 full and part-time staff, which McDonald’s seeks to recruit from the local area.

"The brownfield site is part of an existing Morrisons carpark, which was considered underused and surplus to their requirements.

"The proposal allows for a complementary use to the overall retail function to the area and enhance the range of facilities available to customers.

"The site is located within the settlement of East Kilbride and the commercial area of Lindsayfield Neighbourhood Centre, as designated by the adopted South Lanarkshire Local Development Plan.

"In summary, the proposal represents sustainable development of a prominent brownfield site, which will provide a range of local jobs to the area.

"McDonald’s design team have taken into account the site-specific design background of the surrounding area and provided a comprehensive justification of the development."

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