Scotch Corner McDonalds plan recommended for approval

The proposal, which will be considered by North Yorkshire Council’s Richmond area planning committee on Wednesday, would see the restaurant built on a parcel of grassland immediately north of the main Scotch Corner roundabout.

The scheme includes a drive-thru restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a children’s play area, toilets and parking for 55 vehicles.

The location of the proposed McDonalds restaurant at Scotch Corner. Photo: Google.

Four electric vehicle charging points would be installed within the car park, with infrastructure in place to allow a further eight bays to be connected in the future.

In addition, outline permission is being sought for a dedicated electric vehicle charging facility featuring up to 20 charging bays on land to the north of the restaurant.

Supporting documents say this would double the number of publicly available EV chargers in Richmondshire at present.

Planning officers have recommended approval of both elements of the application, subject to conditions and a legal agreement covering highway improvements, biodiversity measures and travel plan monitoring.

The proposed restaurant would operate 24 hours a day and is expected to create around 120 jobs, equating to around 82 full-time positions.

The site sits between the A1(M) and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) testing facility and would be accessed via an existing junction on the A6055.

Improvements to the junction, pedestrian routes and cycle access are included as part of the development.

Planning officers concluded the scheme would provide significant economic benefits and is appropriately located close to the strategic road network.

A report to councillors states that although the development would result in the loss of less than one hectare of Grade 3 agricultural land, the impact is considered acceptable due to the site’s location and limited agricultural value.

The application has attracted objections from local parish councils, residents and businesses.

Concerns raised include increased traffic congestion, road safety, litter, the loss of greenfield land and the cumulative impact of further development around Scotch Corner.

In its response, Moulton Parish Meeting said a strategic assessment of the many planning applications in the pipeline for the Scotch Corner area was required before any further schemes were approved.

It added: “There is already a choice of fast food outlets, either planned or existing at Scotch Corner or nearby at the approved Road Chef at Catterick Central and Barton Truckstop.

“Any further development is unnecessary.”

However, both National Highways and North Yorkshire Council’s highways officers have withdrawn their initial concerns following amendments to the scheme and have raised no objections, subject to conditions.

The development would also include extensive landscaping, with 14 new trees, wildflower grassland and additional screening planting designed to soften the appearance of the site and enhance biodiversity.