McDonald’s has said it is committed to opening a new restaurant in York following a council decision to block plans for one in Fulford Road.
The fast food chain’s response follows City of York Council’s decision to refuse its application to convert a former Iceland in Fulford Road into a restaurant and drive thru.
A McDonald’s spokesperson said: “We are committed to opening a new site in York and welcome working with the community to find a suitable location.”
McDonald’s had told the council the new restaurant was needed because York’s other branches were over capacity.
In a planning submission, the company said: “Should permission not be granted in this location, however, McDonalds would need to consider other sites in the area, which could lead to further planning applications being submitted for less sustainable locations, which are primarily accessible by car (as opposed to the application site at Fulford Road, which is conveniently accessible both on foot and by bus).”
Officers rejected the Fulford Road plan on public health grounds. They said it was too close to Fulford School, Deansgate Community School and York Steiner School and it would undermine efforts to promote healthy lifestyles.
The plans provoked a backlash from residents when they were first submitted in April.
Those against the plans claimed the restaurant would fuel congestion along Fulford Road and lead to parking spilling over from its shared car park with Aldi.
They also claimed nearby residents would be exposed to noise and odours and proposed operating hours of 7am to 11pm seven days a week would be disruptive.
But the fast food chain stated its plans would create up to 45 full-time jobs and the conversion would improve the look of the building which has stood empty since October 2023.
McDonald’s has one restaurant in Blake Street in the city centre as well as ones at York Designer Outlet, Monks Cross Shopping Centre, Clifton Moor and Poppleton.