The Humble Petition of the organisers of the website mcdonaldspetition.co.uk
Sheweth that the Petitioners are campaigning to promote and strengthen local democratic oversight of the planning system; further that local people in Newcastle have rejected planning permission for a McDonald’s fast food restaurant opposite a school in Kenton and further that an appeal has been made to the Planning Inspector.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that your Honourable House will urge the Government to listen to the democratic will of local people in Newcastle and duly reject the appeal to the Planning Inspector for planning permission for a McDonald’s fast food restaurant in Kenton.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray, &c.
[P001470]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government:
Newcastle Upon Tyne City Council is responsible for the day to day planning of their area. However, as they refused planning application (reference 2014/0847/01/DET), the Appellant (McDonald’s Restaurant Ltd), on 4 March 2015, exercised their statutory right of appeal, against this refusal under Section 78 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
The appeal has been given the reference number APP/M4510/W/15/3006091 and is being handled by the Planning Inspectorate. An Inspector, appointed by the Secretary of State, will consider the proposals, and all the evidence both for and against, at a local inquiry on a date to be confirmed. Interested persons will be welcome to attend the inquiry and at the discretion of the Inspector to express their views.
On 19 May 2015, the Planning Inspectorate requested that the Council notify interested parties of the appeal by 2 June 2015 in order to invite them to submit any comments on the proposals to the Planning Inspectorate by 30 June 2015. Any views submitted by this date will be taken into account before the appeal is decided.
It would not be appropriate for Ministers or the Secretary of State to comment on the merits of the proposals, as to do so could prejudice the Inspector’s consideration of the appeal, however any comments submitted within the appropriate timescales will be taken into account before the appeal is decided.