Starbucks and McDonald’s to be built at new Garstang Bypass trade park despite strong local objections

Planning permission has been granted for a drive-through McDonald’s and Starbucks to be built off the Garstang Bypass despite more than 250 objections being submitted.

Wyre Council granted permission to the development, which will also include offices, storage units and a Screwfix-style trade store, after a planning officer’s report concluded it “would not result in any harmful impacts on design, amenity or highways safety”.

The application is a modified version of one which had previously been approved for a patch of land in Claughton-on-Brock, with modifications to the sizes of the buildings. It also included an attempt to extend McDonald’s’ proposed opening times changed to 24 hours a day but this aspect was refused with councillors imposing a condition that it can only operate 6am-11pm.

Among the frequent complaints in the almost 250 objections lodged with the council’s planning committee are expected issues of litter, anti-social behaviour, congestion, road safety and the negative impact on existing local businesses. Four parish councils also registered formal objections citing similar reasons.

However, more than 120 residents submitted letters supporting the application; with new jobs, greater convenience; and no longer needing to leave Garstang to access such options among the reasons. Also raised by some was the idea that rather than encouraging or attracting anti-social behaviour, such places provide a safe place for young people to gather.

Speaking after the planning meeting in which approval was voted unanimously, committee member and Garstang representative, Cllr Alice Collinson said: “I don’t think there is any good reason to go against it – a version of this scheme had already been approved 12 months ago.

“Garstang is growing and people are looking for additional amenities. Some people don’t like change but things do change and you have to look to the future.”

A long-read version of this article first appeared in The Lancashire Lead. Sign up here for free.

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