By George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporting Service
MCDONALD’S has admitted feedback over a planned drive-thru branch in Hyde forced it to withdraw its application.
The fast-food giant hoped to build where the Viceroy Indian restaurant currently stands on Grafton Street.
However, that will now not happen after a proposal lodged with Tameside Council was withdrawn.
And McDonald’s revealed how what it was told forced the firm to change its mind.
National Highways officers voiced concerns over ‘a number of points outstanding that requires clarification or additional supporting evidence to be provided.’
They included a raw traffic survey data so a check of the peak hours can be undertaken as well as queue data recorded at the nearby M67 junction three.
The body also requested a meeting to discuss how traffic will be managed and that no decision was made before May 27.
Transport for Greater Manchester was also concerned about an apparent lack of tactile pavements at access points and wanted parking bays removed because of ‘conflicts’ with zebra crossings.
Eventually, McDonald’s changed its mind, with a spokesperson said: “Following feedback received as part of the planning process we have taken the decision to withdraw this planning application.
“We are always on the lookout for suitable locations and are currently exploring a number of opportunities in the wider area.”
McDonald’s bosses originally said the plan would have created around 120 new jobs to the area.
Planning papers read: “We are excited to be bringing forward proposals for a new McDonald’s drive-thru restaurant off Grafton Street in Hyde.
“The creation of a new drive-thru restaurant would also deliver a range of benefits, including significant investment into the local economy and the creation of approximately 120 new jobs, in a range of full and part-time positions.
“We recognise that whilst the site is part of a wider commercial area, there are residential properties nearby.
“We take our responsibility to our neighbours very seriously and have embedded a range of measures in our emerging proposals to protect the amenity of our neighbours.”